Residents in Wards 7 and 8 Still Have Limited Access to Grocery Stores, D.C. Hunger Solutions Report Finds
Media Contact:
Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843
WASHINGTON, November 19, 2025 – The total number of full-service grocery stores in Washington, D.C., increased from 76 to 80 in 2025, according to Minding the Grocery Gap in D.C.: A 2025 Update released today by D.C. Hunger Solutions. This modest growth reflects incremental changes across several wards in the District of Columbia, though access to full-service grocery stores east of the Anacostia River remains limited.
The report analyzes data on full-service grocery stores and policy changes from October 2024 through September 2025.
“The uneven allocation of resources leaves many in our community struggling to afford or access healthy food options,” said LaMonika Jones, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions. “While Ward 3, with the highest-income households, has 17 grocery stores, the lowest-income households east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8, have three and four full-service grocery stores, respectively. This continued scarcity of grocery options in underserved neighborhoods deepens health disparities and holds back community growth.”
The report notes that funding legislation such as the Farmers Market Support Amendment Act has been a critical step taken by D.C. government to address the persistent lack of grocery store access in low-income areas. The Nourish DC Collaborative and the DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners program are initiatives that aim to alleviate the broader issue of food insecurity across the District. Additionally, the Supermarket Tax Exemption Act of 2000 was designed to spur grocery store development in underserved neighborhoods by waiving certain taxes and fees, but it has not been enough. The report outlines recommended reforms for this act, including linking incentives to clear public benefits such as affordable pricing, fresh produce availability, and acceptance of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
“While there have been steps in the right direction due to collaboration among policy-makers and advocates, much more needs to be done,” added Jones. “The District must continue prioritizing sustained investment in grocery retailers and local food systems, particularly in Wards 7 and 8. This means comprehensive policies and programs that support long-term community health and economic stability.”
To close the grocery gap, D.C. Hunger Solutions recommends increasing local supplemental SNAP benefits, improving the WIC Expansion Act, investing in alternative models for grocery access, expanding funding for grocery delivery services, improving public transportation, and engaging communities in decision-making.
In addition, Congress must repeal the harmful provisions in the budget reconciliation law (H.R. 1), which mark a significant shift in federal priorities that could limit access to health and nutrition support for residents with low incomes. More than 140,000 District residents rely on SNAP. The law makes historic and devastating cuts to SNAP, including stricter work requirements and elimination of exemptions for veterans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and former foster care youth age 24 and younger, that jeopardize the stability of thousands of households across the District.
“Both Congress and the D.C. Council must remove barriers to ensure every resident has access to nutritious, affordable food they need to thrive,” said Jones.
Read the full report.
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D.C. Hunger Solutions is an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). We work to create a hunger-free community and improve the nutrition, health, economic security, and well-being of low-income District residents. To learn more, visit www.dchunger.org.