Grocery Gap Persists in Nation’s Capital: New Report Highlights Ongoing Food Access Inequities
Media Contact:
Colleen Barton
cbarton@frac.org
703-203-7843
WASHINGTON, November 4, 2026 – Residents east of the Anacostia River still lack access to full-service grocery stores compared with other parts of the nation’s capital, according to a new report released today by D.C. Hunger Solutions. The Minding the Grocery Gap in D.C.: A 2026 Update report finds that while some grocery store openings and improvements have occurred, the grocery gap persists.
The report analyzes data on full-service grocery stores and policy changes from October 2025 to September 2026. In 2026, the total number of full-service grocery stores in Washington, D.C., decreased by almost 2 percent. The reduction reflects ongoing challenges in maintaining and expanding grocery access across the city. Significant disparities in grocery access persist east of the Anacostia River, with Wards 7 and 8 seeing no increase in grocery store access.
“Food insecurity remains a critical issue as inequities in the distribution of wealth, resources, and access to essential needs, including nutritious food, persist across the District,” said LaMonika Jones, director, D.C. Hunger Solutions. “With nearly 10,000 residents losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after the passage of the budget reconciliation law, H.R. 1, last year, increased administrative costs for the District to run the program, and changes in SNAP retailer stock requirements, closing the grocery gap will require more than attracting additional stores. It requires addressing the economic, political, and structural disparities that shape food access, strengthening the viability of food retailers in underserved communities, and ensuring that residents have access to healthy, nutritious food across every ward.”
The 2026 report proposes additional investments to help bridge the grocery gap in Washington, D.C., including:
- Increase the Locally Funded SNAP Benefit
Increasing the local SNAP supplement would help families afford groceries by providing additional food purchasing power as grocery costs continue to rise. This investment would improve access to nutritious foods, support household economic stability, and help ensure residents have consistent access to the food they need. - Explore Public-Private Grocery Store Models
Public-private partnerships can help expand grocery store access by combining public investment and private resources to support new and existing grocery retailers, particularly in underserved communities. These partnerships can help reduce the financial barriers to opening and operating grocery stores while improving access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant foods. - Ongoing Funding for Local Food Initiatives
Continued investment in local food programs and initiatives ensures District residents have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food. Sustained funding strengthens community-based food initiatives, supports local food providers, and addresses food insecurity in neighborhoods with limited grocery access. - Increase Public Transportation Networks in Low-Access Areas
Expanding public transportation and improving affordability for residents facing mobility and financial barriers will increase access to full-service stores.
Policymakers, advocates, food retailers, and community leaders must work together to advance policies and investments that build a more equitable and resilient food system in our nation’s capital.