Food access is a basic necessity for creating vibrant, healthy communities. However, many low-income communities, particularly communities of color, have unequal access to healthy food. An inclusive food system ensures economic opportunity; high-quality jobs with living wages; safe working conditions; access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for all, no matter their racial or socio-economic status. In addition, supporting the creation of economic opportunity within the local food economy addresses underemployment and unemployment in some of our communities.

Building upon our 10-year strategy to foster more inclusive food systems, Capital Impact Partners is exploring how local food systems can be better financially supported in the District of Columbia. With communities across the District experiencing historical disinvestment, particularly in terms of healthy food access, the potential to improve food access for low-income residents is immense. Drawing upon our expertise in developing and implementing innovative food financing systems like the Michigan Good Food Fund and the California FreshWorks Fund, Capital Impact aims to connect more deeply with community and establish connectivity across groups, leaders, philanthropy, financial institutions, and government toward a common vision of building an inclusive food system in Washington, D.C.

Capital Impact is hosting a convening in early December to bring together a diverse, active, and impassioned group of local leaders who are focused on creating a food system that addresses the issue of extremely low access to fresh food for low-income residents. At this convening, we showcase the amazing work of local, community-driven programs that are generating positive social impact, such as job creation, access to healthy food, and participation in the food and local economy. The convening will focus on how capital can be attracted, used, and sustained to provide a more equitable and inclusive food system that addresses needs, specifically in Wards 7 and 8. Capital Impact is engaging financial institutions, funders, and investors to participate and learn more about these models to begin to better align capital with impact to fuel healthy food access for those who need it most.

Goals of this convening include:

• Establishing a shared understanding of the necessary components of an inclusive food system in Washington, D.C.;
• Mapping existing assets (infrastructure, technical assistance, community leaders, policies, and more) that support a food system in which everyone can participate and thrive; and
• Identifying gaps and opportunities within the existing food ecosystem, notably disparate access to jobs and healthy food.

Convening participants include: community-based organizations that are leaders in inclusive food systems work; residents and other local stakeholders; policymakers (state, local, federal); local foundations; financial institutions interested in food access, health, and entrepreneurship; and health organizations.

Capital Impact will share a post-convening summary document to share findings and possible solutions to better align capital with community-driven food systems projects.

This event is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 6, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Martha’s Table at The Commons at Stanton Square in Ward 8.

Please contact Olivia M. Rebanal, Director of Inclusive Food Systems, at orebanal@capitalimpact.org for more information.