In their first televised debate, DC mayoral candidates Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie discuss Ward 7 and 8’s limited access to healthy food options.
WASHINGTON — In their first televised debate, aired on WUSA9, D.C. mayoral candidates Janeese Lewis George and Kenyan McDuffie sparred on key issues including affordability and policing. One topic they seem to have agreed on is the need to address better access to healthy food options in Wards 7 and 8.
While they want more grocery stores, Lewis George’s concept to have publicly owned grocery stores in areas east of the Anacostia River, where the mainly Black residents experience food barriers, is catching attention. Similar to an idea from Democratic New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Lewis George hopes to add one new grocery store in Ward 7 and at least two in Ward 8.
“What we’re going to do is to make sure that we have a public and private partnership,” Lewis George said at the debate. “That means the District has to invest the dollars. Because of the fact that many people are not willing to invest dollars themselves, we have to show up and let our provider know that we are willing to invest the dollars if that means sustaining food access for District residents.”
She said the city would operate with a public-owned grocery store if that’s an option, but she believes there are providers in the city that can help with the investment.
At a food pantry in St. Luke Catholic Church in Southeast, volunteers and clients love the idea.
“That’s beneficial, and at least the tax dollars would be coming from the residents and going into something that benefits them,” said Ward 7 resident Kana Summers, collecting food for her mother.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea,” added food pantry volunteer Ronald Mallory. “The more places that’s accessible the better.”
Meanwhile, McDuffie touted helping open the Skyland Town Center, which opened a Lidl. He also wants to add more grocery stores, including near the proposed Commanders stadium.
“We also put in incentives to bring two grocery stores to Ward 7, one at the site of the old RFK campus and another location in Ward 7, because I know what it’s like not to have access to healthy food options,” McDuffie said in Wednesday’s debate.
Ward 7 has just three grocery stores to sustain its 91,000 residents. In comparison, Ward 3 has 17 for 81,000 residents.
McDuffie also said he’s working with a council member on the Capitol Gateway Development on East Capitol Street near 58th Street in Northeast. However, residents including Jessica Smith-Haynie said they’re disappointed by the lack of grocery stores and businesses. She said it’s become a missed opportunity as time goes on.
“It’s an eyesore just to have the land there and I thought there would be a Giant placed here several years ago,” Smith-Haynie said. “Actions speak louder than words. The citizens here need to stand up and voice their opinion as well.”
While some community members say “whatever it takes” to boost the access to grocery stores in the city, Brian Mulholland of the John S. Mulholland Family Foundation, which holds food pantries across the city, said he also wants candidates to better address the food insecurity needs happening to 17% of the city’s population.
“I’d rather see her [Lewis George] get on a plane and go to the Lidl headquarters or Aldi headquarters and get some affordable grocery stores in Ward 7 and 8,” said Mulholland. “Putting food on the table — we’re still not addressing that and the solutions that they’re offering so far are rather pie in the sky. We’re trying things that haven’t been done yet the learning curve is going to be there and we’re talking about the Commanders new site and grocery store but that’s five years away. There’s immediate need. There are people struggling today. We need solutions today and not three or five years down the road.”