In November, Mayor Vincent Gray launched the working group phase of Sustainable DC, an initiative to investigate what the district is doing well and what further steps need to be taken to create a greener, healthier, more livable city. Working groups comprised of experts in the private and public sectors will develop goals and plans of action to promote positive change. See examples of District residents discussing their vision for a sustainable DC and what they are doing to promote a sustainable DC below.
The Capital Area Food Bank is participating in these working groups to ensure the “sustainability of our future” and make DC a healthier, more livable city. We work to increase not only the percentage of fresh produce that we distribute to the community but also what we acquire from Mid-Atlantic farmers. An important aspect of our mission is educating young people and adults alike about the importance of healthy eating in long term well-being To emphasize this message, we provide the tools and training to help more people turn health values into chosen lifestyles. We create direct links between area farms and our partner agencies, helping them “share the harvest” of sustainably grown food with their clients.
Our move next year into the CAFB’s new distribution center will give us the opportunity to further support Mayor Gray’s sustainability aspirations. Increased energy efficiency, innovative water and waste management and intentional planning around decreasing our ecological foot print are some of the ways in which the food bank will model sustainability focused change and development. Most importantly, our new distribution center will augment our capacity to provide healthy food to the communities we work with to alleviate hunger and increase our ability to contribute to the creation of a Sustainable DC.
Support the food bank’s sustainability by donating to our Share the Harvest Gift Program this holiday season and consider sharing your voice in the Mayor’s Sustainable DC visioning process. For more information click here.