FOOD ON EVERY TABLE

FOOD ACCESS

Because what we eat should help us heal. Moving from study to implementation: ensuring every neighborhood has access to fresh, affordable groceries.

The Evidence

15:1Fast food outnumbers grocers (Food Swamp)
1 mileGoal: fresh produce within reach
CB-67-2025Food as Medicine Health Program Act

District 6 is a Food Swamp—fast food 15-to-1 over grocers. That fuels chronic disease and lowers life expectancy. Food Sovereignty means every resident within one mile of fresh produce. CB-67-2025 lets doctors prescribe produce redeemable at local markets.

Source: USDA Food Access Atlas, PG County 2025 study

What's Food Sovereignty?

Every resident should live within one mile of fresh, affordable produce. We're moving from sick-care to well-care by integrating nutrition into healthcare. CB-67-2025 lets doctors prescribe fresh produce redeemable at local markets.

What's a food swamp?

A food swamp is when fast food heavily outnumbers grocery stores—in D6, it's 15-to-1. That fuels chronic disease and lowers life expectancy. Healthy Food Anchors get tax incentives to hire locally and source from Maryland farmers.

Research & Data

8.4 fast food locations vs 1.2 supermarkets per sq mi in priority areas. Lower income = farther to fresh groceries.

Fast Food LocationsHigh Density
Premium Grocery (Organic/Whole)Scarcity
Sit-Down "Third Place" RestaurantsModerate

Residents spend an estimated $120M annually on dining/groceries outside the district.

Lower-income tracts face longer distances to premium grocery—a food access gap we must close.

Sources:

  • USDA Food Access Research Atlas
  • PG County 2025 food desert study
  • Census tract data

THE PLAN

Priority

FOOD ACCESS

  • Food deserts leave whole neighborhoods without fresh, affordable groceries
  • Studies on food access not yet turned into action
  • Grocers leave underserved areas; farmers markets absent
  • Move food desert study to implementation
  • Incentives to retain grocers in underserved areas
  • Farmers markets and community partnerships for food access
  • Implement recommendations from the 2025 food desert study
  • Create incentives to retain grocers in underserved areas
  • Support farmers markets and community partnerships for food access

FOOD ACCESS FOR PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Join Dominique in building a stronger, more equitable Prince George's County.

Read the full essayRelated: Why Local Government Matters