Innovative DC Central Kitchen program brings fresh, healthy, affordable food to corner stores and customers across the District
DC Central Kitchen recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Healthy Corners program with a special volunteer event and reception at its Southwest DC headquarters. The event brought together community partners, including DC Health Director Dr. Ayanna Bennett and American University’s Dr. Stacey Snelling, to recognize 15 years of expanding access to healthy, affordable food across the District.
Launched in 2011 through a partnership between DC Central Kitchen and the District Government, Healthy Corners delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to corner stores in neighborhoods where residents have historically faced limited access to full-service grocery stores. What began as a pilot serving 30 stores has grown to more than 50 corner stores selling approximately 450,000 units of nutritious food each year. The program provides store owners with refrigeration, training, and marketing support. Over the past 15 years, the program has helped sell more than 3 million units of healthy food, including to families using SNAP and WIC benefits.
“When we started this project, there were so many narratives we had to overcome. Store owners weren’t sure perishable healthy products would sell. Customers weren’t sure they trusted corner stores as places to shop for produce,” said DC Central Kitchen CEO Mike Curtin. “Healthy Corners found a way to unite everyone around a simple idea: if we make good food accessible and affordable while taking the time to build real trust, we can create a win/win scenario for everyone.”
DC Health has been a longstanding partner in this work, including helping corner stores become WIC-authorized retailers and providing critical grant support. Most recently, DC Health awarded Healthy Corners $750,000 to support the program in the upcoming fiscal year.
“Healthy food should be accessible to every DC resident, regardless of where they live,” said DC Health Director Dr. Ayanna Bennett. “For 15 years, Healthy Corners has demonstrated what is possible when government, community organizations, small businesses, and residents work together. DC Health is proud to support this innovative program and its commitment to advancing health equity across the District.”
With a dedicated production and delivery team, refrigerated trucks, store-owner training, local suppliers, and evaluation support from American University, Healthy Corners is positioned to continue expanding access to nutritious food while supporting local small businesses.
To learn more about DC Central Kitchen and the Healthy Corners program, visit DC Central Kitchen’s website.
About DC Central Kitchen
DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate fast-casual cafes. DCCK has been featured in national media including The Washington Post, The Atlantic, National Geographic, PBS NewsHour, and more. To learn more, visit dccentralkitchen.org or follow @dccentralkitchen on Instagram.