In January, 2015, in partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank, we launched Joyful Food Markets at four elementary schools in Wards 7 & 8, east of the Anacostia River, to reduce hunger and increase access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The markets are held once a month, immediately following school dismissal for about 2 hours. The markets are joyful community events open to f
amilies with children enrolled in that school. Colorful tables, filled with baskets of fresh produce, and piled high with healthy non-perishable food, fill a school gym or cafeteria, while festive music plays in the background. Shoppers move from table to table choosing fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and beans as they fill grocery bags with 23 pounds of food (the equivalent of 18 meals) per enrolled child, with a minimum of 40% fresh produce. Joyful Food Markets are currently run in 21 elementary schools east of the river, and—by 2018—will be in every public and charter elementary school in Ward 7 & 8, totaling 49 schools. We currently run markets in the following schools:
Aiton Elementary School
Anne Beers Elementary School
AppleTree PCS
Burrville Elementary School
Cedar Tree Academy
Center City PCS
Democracy Prep: Congress Heights
DC Scholars
Eagle Academy
Houston ES
JC Nalle Elementary School
Kimball Elementary
KIPP DC: Heights Academy
Moten Elementary School
Neval Thomas Elementary School
Patterson Elementary
Plummer ES
Savoy Elementary
Stanton Elementary School
Smothers Elementary School
Turner Elementary
