Food
~The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides “30-40 lbs of healthy groceries to seniors aged 60 or over who live in the District of Columbia or Montgomery County, respectively, and meet income guidelines.”
~CSFP grocery packages vary month-to-month, but each contains: 2 cartons of juice, 1-2 packs of a protein item, 2 cartons of shelf stable milk, 1 bag of dry beans or 1 jar of peanut butter, 1-2 packs of a grain item, 1 block of cheese, 2 cans of fruit, 4 cans of vegetables, 1-2 breakfast items, and 1 bag of dry milk every other month.
~ They also provide seniors with farmers market vouchers that are redeemable for produce at participating area farmers markets.
~ To apply for Grocery Plus and receive food aid, you must visit a Grocery Plus distribution site. To identify the pickup site closest to you, please call the Grocery Plus main line at 202-644-9880. When registering, participants are required to bring in supporting documents to prove identity and age, and residency.
~Individuals can also learn more about the program or enroll directly at the CAFB Grocery Plus Walk-In Center listed below.
East Capitol – Walk-In Center
5601 East Capitol St., SE Washington DC 20019
Phone: (202) 645-6087
~Income eligibility requirements:
~They also have mobile markets, which provide an accessible, no-cost distributions of fruits, vegetables, and other groceries in different locations across D.C.
~ “Food is brought to each location by a food bank vehicle and distributed directly to those in need with the help of volunteers.”
~ “Call the CAFB Hunger Lifeline ( (202) 645-6087 ) for the nearest Mobile Market. Show up with a bag or other container to hold food in”
~They also have Community Farmers Markets, where they provide fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables at no cost.
~ “In addition to produce, markets often feature cooking demonstrations to offer inspiration for healthy meal-making, and resources – such as housing and utility assistance, health screenings, etc. – for our visitors courtesy of other service providers.”
~Community Marketplaces Dates and Locations (PDF): District of Columbia | Maryland | Virginia
~Community Marketplaces Fechas y Ubicaciones (PDF): District of Columbia | Maryland | Virginia
~ “Come to the Community Marketplace in your areas around 9 a.m. on the day of the distribution with a container to hold your food goods in. We suggest a reusable shopping bag or a rolling cart. Come to the registration desk and fill out the registration form. It asks for contact information, household information and a few other details. Once that is finished, you will be given a key card, just like the ones you get at a grocery store. Keep this key card and bring it to every Community Marketplace that you attend to enter the marketplace.”
4900 Puerto Rico Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017
(202) 644-9800
Hours: 8:30 am-5:00 pm Monday-Friday
Last updated: 08.09.19
