Community-Based Grocery Options in D.C.

Our project examines existing D.C. policies aimed at addressing food insecurity through supermarkets. Our goal is to provide the D.C. government with information about how policies aimed at addressing food insecurity impact small grocers. Primarily, we researched the effectiveness of the following two policies:

• The Supermarket Tax Incentive of 2000: Has the District policy of waiving certain taxes and fees for supermarkets in specific neighborhoods influenced the number of community grocery stores?
• Online SNAP Acceptance: Can facilitating the acceptance of SNAP benefits for online grocery deliveries help reduce food insecurity?

Our project focused on qualitative research gathered from community-based grocers and food entrepreneurs in D.C. navigating economic policies to provide greater food access to residents in areas classified as food deserts.

Food access in D.C. fractures along lines of race and class, with the lowest rates of food access in predominantly Black neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8. Despite representing over 22% of the District's population, with over 160,000 residents, Wards 7 and 8 have only three out of 79 full-service grocery stores across Washington, D.C. To expand access to grocery stores, the District has launched several initiatives to expand grocery store access over the years.

Approximately 65% of neighborhoods (162k residents) in Wards 5, 7, & 8 have low food access paired with low transit access, defined as being 0.5 miles or more from a WMATA bus or metro corridor and a high percentage of households without a car.

Community grocers offer a wealth of benefits compared to larger supermarkets. As the D.C. government considers approaches to address food insecurity in the District, policies that facilitate the success of community grocers is crucial. Multiple factors position community grocers to help address food insecurity in D.C:

• Community and Social Impact: Many community grocers engage with the community, with some offering their store as a group meeting space.
• Healthy Food Access: Most community grocers are responsive to the unique needs of community members, offering healthy and culturally-relevant grocery options. Many also partner with local farmers, contributing to their businesses.
• Smaller geographic footprint: Community grocers normally operate in smaller buildings than supermarkets, requiring less space for their operation.

The lynchpin is the requirement to invest 50% of the building's tax accessed value to qualify for the 10-year tax break. What small business is going to be able to do that?

Areas with the highest percentage of SNAP recipients coincide with areas of food apartheid in D.C.

Grocery delivery can improve food access for food apartheid communities, but problems are still present for small grocers:

• Lacking Delivery Infrastructure: The vast majority of grocery delivery is done by large stores like Amazon Fresh and supermarkets working with apps like Instacart.
• EBT Payment Approval: In order to accept SNAP benefits online, grocers must get an application approved and third-party delivery services must get an application approved as well.

Qualitative interviews with small community-based grocers provided an opportunity to learn about the challenges and opportunities they have faced as they seek to improve food access. Zoning changes and public private partnerships were suggested as policy levers the D.C. government could use to support community-based grocers.

Change D.C. Zoning laws to incentivize community based food entrepreneurs and benefit the community by increasing food access in traditionally underserved communities.

• RF-1 Zoning, with residential flat zones with small lot sizes, can increase food access within underserved communities by integrating food production with retail and encouraging community engagement.
• Commercial Inclusionary Zoning is a policy tool used by local governments to promote equitable development and address community needs through land use regulations. When applied to support community food-based businesses and entrepreneurs striving to address food access and insecurity, it can play a crucial role in fostering healthier and more resilient communities.

Many current and potential community grocers are first-time business owners, navigating the administrative requirements enforced by D.C. Although some have previous experiences that equip them to deal with this landscape, many need additional resources and technical assistance to facilitate their effort to start and maintain a storefront. Programs like D.C. Main Streets have provided invaluable support, creating business owner networks and offering assistance in community-driven revitalization efforts.

Our businesses have to be ready, and that takes a lot of technical assistance to make sure that they have their things in order.

To continue policy efforts combating food apartheid and support community grocers, D.C. policymakers should consider the following actions:

• D.C. Office of Zoning: Alter the current zoning plan to allow more RF-1 zoning in the food insecure areas of Wards 5, 7, and 8. This would make it easier to establish grocery stores will a small geographic footprint, lowering the investment required for opening.
• D.C. Office of Economic Development and Planning: Invest in community business organizations like D.C. Main Streets and Business Improvement Districts. Work with them to offer technical assistance and resources for potential grocers to navigate the administrative hurdles of business operation.
• D.C. Office of Planning: Continue research to see the effects that online grocery shopping and delivery, the COVID-19 pandemic, and small community grocers have had on food insecurity in D.C.