When D.C. Central Kitchen launched their Healthy Corners program in 2011, it was a modest project with the goal of bringing high-quality produce to corner stores in some of the city’s biggest food deserts. Since then it’s grown exponentially, with 67 stores now participating in the program.
The program has grown so rapidly, that D.C. Central Kitchen is having trouble keeping up with the delivery demand. With summer just around the corner, they’re looking to get another delivery truck.
“Wth summer coming down the pipeline, we’re definitely looking for a second refrigerated van to help get more produce to where it needs go,” Erica Teti-Zilinskas, Associate Director of Communications for D.C. Central Kitchen, tells DCist.
According to the D.C. Central Kitchen, 71 percent of residents living in one of D.C.’s food deserts are overweight or obese, and 15 percent have diabetes. “This is a real attempt to give people the options to buy healthy foods,” Teti-Zilinskas says. In 2014, 141,368 items were purchased through the Healthy Corners program and, with a second van, D.C. Central Kitchen predicts they’ll be able to deliver 104,000 additional items to participating stores this year.
Teti-Zilinskas says they’re looking to raise $55,000 for the van. Currently, they’re at $13,146. You can donate here.