September 28, 2020

Coronavirus Update: Let's Focus on Food

Dear Neighbors,

The [1]Council of Governments, or COG, is a nonprofit organization that
brings together elected officials and subject matter experts across the
Washington Metropolitan Area in the effort to share ideas, coordinate,
address the region's major challenges. I have served on and chaired COG
committees in the past, but am particularly excited to lead a newly
established ad-hoc committee to focus on food security and food access
across the region. The work of this new committee, dubbed the FARM
Committee, is especially important as the divide between those who have
access to healthy foods and those who do not is only further exacerbated by
the coronavirus pandemic. Not only will we focus on urban agriculture and
the food economy, but we will examine ways in which jurisdictions may
enhance food recovery, food supply chain infrastructure, and food access
for children and vulnerable communities.

It is my hope that this data and best-practices approach will result in
policies that will improve the resilience of the region's food system, and
I am very eager to get started. And so, to complement this new regional
effort, I've focused this entire newsletter on food. I hope you'll find the
resources in this update to be helpful and, if you'd like to learn more
about the new FARM Committee, please see COG's latest [2]press release and
the [3]video below.

Regards,

Mary

[4]

Please see [5]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [6]marycheh.com

The Streatery Winter Grant Application Program is Open!

Eating Outdoors this Winter - In order to help restaurants continue their
outdoor dinning operations as the weather cools, the District is now
offering winterization grants for local restaurants through the Streatery
Winter Ready Grant Program. These funds may be used to purchase heaters,
propane, lighting, furniture, and tents (rental or purchase).

The Office of Nightlife and Culture is accepting [7]applications now, for
information on how to apply, please see: [8]Recovery for Businesses.

Supporting Local Businesses & Restaurants - Ward 3's Main Streets are an
excellent source of special events, business promotions and operations, and
updates from our community's best and most beloved restaurants. Most
release weekly newsletters and frequently post restaurant and local
business updates on social media. Sign up for updates, volunteer, or donate
to your neighborhood Main Street below:

[9]Van Ness Main Street

[10]Woodley Park Main Street

[11]Glover Park Main Street

[12]Cleveland Park Main Street

[13]Tenleytown Main Street

District Food Resources: Meal & Grocery Distribution

Home-bound Residents - Residents who are home-bound due to COVID-19 can
request support from the District for food and other essential items. To
request help:
* Call 1-888-349-8323 or
* Submit a request online at: [14][link removed]

Seniors - Seniors who need information or assistance should call the
Department of Aging and Community Living’s hotline at (202) 724-5626. The
call center will conduct a quick assessment and connect residents to the
appropriate service.
* [15]Meal Delivery for Seniors

Students - DC Public School students may access meals at any school meal
distribution site in the District. Ward 3's school meal distribution site
is at Wilson High School (3950 Chesapeake St, NW) from 10 am to 2 pm.
* [16]Meals Sites and Grocery Distribution Sites for DCPS Students
* [17]Metrobus Lines Serving Student Meal Sites
* [18]DPR Afterschool Meals Sites

Grocery Distribution Sites - Grocery sites are available throughout the
District to provide fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-perishable groceries
to families in need. Residents are encouraged to bring a cart and/or tote
bag to transport groceries at home. Masks are required at all grocery
sites. For grocery distribution locations and schedule, please see:
[19][link removed].

Local Restaurant Partners with the DC Food Project

[20]

T-Shirt for Charity - [21]Little Red Fox in Chevy Chase has partnered with
the [22]DC Food Project to help raise funds for the nonprofit's Emergency
Weekend Bag Program that provides bagged groceries to over 700 families
from schools across the District.

100% of the profits from the sale of limited-edition t-shirts (pictured
right) will be donated to the DC Food Project and will allow them to
continue their operations this fall to help meet the needs of food-insecure
children and families during the pandemic.

More information on this fundraiser is available here: [23]Little Red Fox
x DC Food Project.

Spotlight on the Weekend Bag Program - The DC Food Project's [24]weekend
bags contain food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for a family of
four (on average), lasting families between 10-14 days. Since March, the DC
Food Project has been able to help over 2,600 families, distributing more
than 320,000 meals!

Celebrate the Women's Food Fest

Dine In or Carry Out to Support Women-Owned Food Businesses - More than 40
women-owned food businesses will join the [25]Women’s Food Fest from
September 23rd through the 30th. Businesses are offering specialized food,
drinks, and products to support one another, take collective action, and
help each other survive the current economic and health crisis.

This week of action celebrates the variety of women in food, gives a boost
to women-owned small businesses, and helps the community. The Women's Food
Fest is also distributing 700 meals over the duration of the week to local
communities in need.

[26]Click Here for Participating Restaurants

Embrace Healthy Habits During the Pandemic

Stay Healthy During COVID-19 - Dr. Neal Barnard and the Physicians
Committee for Responsible Medicine has shared three key health
recommendations to improve one's health during the coronavirus pandemic:
quit smoking or vaping, optimize your medications, and boost your intake of
vegetables and fruit while decreasing meat and fat consumption.

For more information, please reference the image below, visit
[27]PCRM.org/COVID, and watch the following video by Dr. Barnard on the
link between diet and coronavirus outcomes: [28]Healthful Foods.

Upcoming Event: Virtual Cider Tasting

Friends of Pierce Mill - Virtual Tasting of ANXO Ciders for Friends of
Peirce Mill Members!

Friday, October 2nd from 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Join [29]Friends of Peirce Mill for an autumn evening exploring the orchard
at Peirce Mill and a local cidery—all from the comfort of home. Learn about
the heirloom apple varieties once grown in DC from orchardist, Tim
Makepeace. Then let ANXO cidermaker Gregory Johnson guide you through a
tasting of four different ciders crafted right here in the city.

This cider tasting is open to all Friends of Peirce Mill members over the
age of 21. Visit [30]friendsofpeircemill.org/membership to become a member.
To learn more about this event, please see: [31]Virtual Cider Tasting.

Reduce Food Waste At Home & In Your Community

Feed More, Waste Less - The global pandemic has revealed the need for a
much more resilient food system—one that sustains the earth and provides
sufficient, nutritious food for all who need it. That is why Manna Food
Center and the DC Food Recovery Working Group have joined together to
co-host Food Recovery Week 2020.

[32]Food Recovery Week 2020 offers residents engaging, educational, and
free virtual events with the aim of helping individuals and communities
become more food resilient. The week of events include a training on
composting, cooking classes, food preservation instruction, easy things
residents can do at home to reduce food waste, and ways to support
community efforts to increase food security for all.

[33]Click here for the full calendar of events!

From DC Food Policy Council Director Ona Balkus:

The Federal Government is Failing Communities Suffering from Food
Insecurity

An Excerpt from The Appeal - By Ona Balkus

"Food insecurity is not an acute emergency, but rather a chronic condition
for low-income Americans that existed long before the current public health
emergency. The USDA defines food insecurity as the lack of consistent
access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Without meaningful,
structural change, this problem will long outlast the COVID-19 pandemic...

...COVID-19 has [34]nearly doubled the rate of food insecurity in the
United States, from 11.1 percent to approximately 21.9 percent among
adults. And this increase has once again weighed most heavily on
communities of color, with food insecurity increasing by twice as much in
Black and Latinx households as in white households. COVID-19 has also
presented new challenges for access to food."

[35]Read the Full Story

Edible Pawpaw Fruit has Arrived

September is Pawpaw Season - Local pawpaw trees are bearing safe and edible
fruit this month—fruit that is often described as a cross between a banana
and a mango in flavor.

While residents should never forage for fruit on private property or eat a
wild fruit that they aren't able to confidently identify, there are many
resources online to help residents identify public pawpaw trees, prepare
them in recipes, and even ferment them for mead!

For more on pawpaws, please see resources and recipes provided by

[36]Casey Trees, [37]NPR, and [38]American Eats

Update from the Attorney General:

Urging the USDA to Remove Red Tape Threatening SNAP

Protecting SNAP Access - Attorney General Karl A. Racine is leading a group
of 22 states and New York City in urging the Trump administration to waive
certain administrative burdens so that states can expedite the distribution
of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to residents
during the pandemic, including approximately 133,000 District residents.

SNAP, commonly known as “food stamps,” is our country’s most important
anti-hunger program and a critical part of federal and state efforts to
help lift people out of poverty. The program provides people with limited
incomes the opportunity to buy nutritious food that they otherwise could
not afford.

“Tens of thousands of people who rely on food assistance could go hungry if
the Trump administration refuses to waive burdensome requirements for
states administering SNAP benefits during a pandemic with limited
resources.” —AG Racine

For more on this effort, please see: [39]SNAP Access.

Quick Read: Public Health, Sugary Drinks, & the Pandemic

From Medium - Why Public Health Experts are Talking about Sugary Drinks
during the Pandemic

"It should shock, but not surprise us that Black residents in the District
bear the brunt of both diet-related chronic disease and COVID-19. The same
is true in communities across the country...The COVID-19 pandemic will
eventually be brought under control, but policymakers in the District and
elsewhere must begin implementing changes that will dismantle the
structures that have allowed the virus to decimate so many communities. The
District Council is currently considering one such policy — the [40]Healthy
Beverage Choices Act."

[41]Read the Full Story

Highlighting Innovation from a Ward 3 Restaurateur

From The Washington City Paper - Medium Rare Owner Mark Bucher’s New Goal
is Feeding Kids Restaurant Food From Fridges

His vision is for restaurants to prepare the meals, giving them a fresh
revenue stream during the pandemic.

Restaurateur Mark Bucher and his team at Medium Rare have prepared and
delivered 10,000 free steak dinners to hungry, home-bound seniors since the
start of the pandemic in March. On Mother’s Day, he went big by sending 350
free brunches to local moms over 70 years old. Now Bucher, who co-owns
steakhouses in Cleveland Park, Arlington, and Bethesda, is turning his
attention to a younger population in need of regular nutritious meals—food
insecure students...

...“Coming back from the pandemic, restaurants are going to need to do more
than just serve customers,” Bucher says. He points out that the failure
rate of restaurants was already high before COVID-19 necessitated reduced
seating capacities. “Restaurants need to change their model. I’m going to
help them by creating a self-sustaining manufacturing process where
restaurants will make contract food and get paid for it in the communities
that support them.”

[42]Read the Full Story

Ending this Update on a Happy Note:

DC Central Kitchen Named "Best Food Nonprofit"

Best of DC - DC Central Kitchen was named the 'Best Food Nonprofit' in the
Washington City Paper's 'Best of DC' issue! DC Central Kitchen is an iconic
nonprofit that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job
creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for
individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage
jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed. To
learn more and support their life-changing work, please click [43]here.

[44]DC Central Kitchen's annual Capitol Food Fight is going virtual this
year! This year’s culinary battle will feature celebrity participants
(including Chef José Andrés, restaurateur Spike Mendelsohn, Top Chef
contestant Eric Adjepong, and Washington Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman) and
special food and drink bites for pick-up ahead of the competition on
November 18th. For more on how to join the virtual Capitol Food Fight this
year, please see: [45][link removed].

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to reach us via phone through our main line at (202)
724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget requests, and constituent services
requests.

[46]Facebook [47]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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