June 27, 2022
WASHINGTON POST – Nearly one-third of people living in the Washington region struggled to access food last year, according to a new report released last week by the Capital Area Food Bank.
The analysis, culled from a random sampling survey of nearly 4,000 residents across the region, also presents a deeper illustration of how hunger’s impact has changed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The report found families with children and non-White families were particularly in need of food assistance, and that even individuals who have jobs are still going without meals.
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The region’s rising demand for food is felt at JK Community Farm in Purcellville, Va., which produces food solely for people who don’t have enough to eat.
With a staff of two and the annual help of about 4,500 volunteers, the farm grows organic produce, such as tomatoes, watermelon and sweet potatoes, and donates everything to several area-food pantries. Groups such as Food for Others in Fairfax, DC Central Kitchen, Arlington Food Assistance Center and Loudoun Hunger Relief make weekly pickups.
This year, the farm will donate 230,000 pounds of produce, along with grass-fed beef and eggs, said Samantha Kuhn, the farm’s executive director.
