DC Greens Press Kit

Healthy food is a human right.

About DC Greens

DC Greens believes healthy food is a human right.
We also believe all the things embedded in food —
like community, culture, memory, self-sufficiency, and
joy — are human rights, too. Through thought-
partnership, creativity, and collaboration, DC Greens
works alongside D.C. residents, advocates,
nonprofits, and government to build a stronger,
better food system.

Focus in Three Key Areas

Recognized as a leader in food and health access locally and nationally, DC Greens focuses on food access, Food Is Medicine, and health equity, developing programs that help people get fresh food and advocating for systemic change.

We develop programs that help people get the fresh
food they need while also advocating for system-level changes to our food system.

Our Unique Approach: Building a Better Food System

DC Greens pilots and incubates innovative programs, does the upfront work to make them sustainable, and then”graduates” them to independence, ensuring lasting change within the local food system. Notable programs we’ve piloted or incubated include:

Mission

Advancing health equity by building a just and resilient food system

Vision

A capital city in which health equity is a central value, healthy food is a human right, and all residents have the resources to shape and control policies and programs for their own communities.

Core Programs

Produce Rx: Food Is Medicine Pioneer

First produce prescription program of its kind in Washington, D.C.
Launched in 2012; enables health care providers to prescribe fresh produce to DC Medicaid patients with diet-related illnesses
Up to $120/month on preloaded cards for use at dozens of major grocery retailers
2,760 D.C. residents reached and $377,001 spent on fresh fruits and vegetables in 2025
3,000+ participants since launch; $2.4 million spent on produce
17 community clinic partners
Recipient of the 2024 John Benjamin Nichols Award for outstanding contributions toward improving community health

The Well at Oxon Run:
Community Farm & Wellness Hub

One-acre community farm in Ward 8 with 20,000 sq. ft. of farming space, community convening areas, and outdoor classroom
2026 Winner of the District Sustainability Award
Open March–October, providing holistic health resources, workshops, programs, and classes by dozens of local partners
7,261 pounds of produce distributed in 2025
29 community events
1,066 volunteer hours contributed by 470 community members in 2025
Designated a USDA People’s Garden in 2023

Community Engagement:
Standard Bearer for Outreach and Inreach

History of DC Greens Programs and Work

DC Greens Founded

On March 27, DC Greens receives designation as 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

2009

Growing Garden Teachers

Following the passage of the “Healthy Schools Act,” DC Greens launches the Growing Garden Teachers program, offering trainings and development for school garden coordinators and teachers.

K Street Farm

DC Greens works alongside community members in Northwest D.C. to cultivate K Street Farm. In 2014, DC Greens begins managing and operating the Farm and does so until 2018 after the land is bought by Pepco.

2010

DC Farm to School Network

DC Greens takes over the state lead responsibilities for DC Farm to School Network, which was founded in 2009 and previously led by Andrea Northup.

Produce Prescription Program (FVRx)

DC Greens launches the city’s first Fruits and Vegetables Prescription Program (FVRx), later known as “Produce Rx,” in partnership with Unity Health Clinic and Wholesome Wave.

Rooting DC

DC Greens steps in to begin organizing Rooting DC after the event’s founding organization, America the Beautiful Fund, closes. DC Greens hosts the event for 10 years. The event is now hosted annually by DOEE.

2012

DC Food Policy Council

DC Greens partners with DC Central Kitchen, DC Council Member Mary Cheh, and others to co-write the DC Food Policy Council and Director Establishment Act of 2014 (“the FPC Act”), which establishes the DC Food Policy Council.

Produce Plus Direct

DC Greens partners with DC Health to administer the Produce Plus program, a farmer’s market nutrition incentive program designed to connect community members on limited incomes with healthy food. DC Greens administered the program until 2021.

2014

THEARC Farm

DC Greens joins the Town Hall Education Arts and Recreation Center (THEARC) as a Resident Partner, assuming full responsibility for the direction, management, and funding of the Farm at THEARC.

2015

Grocery Walk

DC Greens mobilizes hundreds to walk, demanding more grocery stores and access to fresh food in Southeast D.C.

Market Champions

DC Greens launches Market Champions to support farmer's markets through Produce Plus assistance, community outreach, resource sharing, and feedback collection. The model has since been adopted by others, including DC Central Kitchen’s Healthy Corners and FRESHFARM’s Produce Plus, using the manual DC Greens created.

2017

Community Visioning Sessions Begin

DC Greens identifies a site in Oxon Run to be the home of a future community farm space in Ward 8 and hosts a series of Visioning Sessions with the community.

2018

Produce Rx: Grocery Store Model

DC Greens converts the Produce Rx program to a grocery store model, making Produce Rx more accessible to participants across the city.

2019

The Well at Oxon Run by DC Greens Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking begins on The Well at Oxon Run, a new community farm and wellness space in Ward 8.

2021

Children & Families Produce Rx Pilot

DC Greens launches a one-year produce prescription pilot program specifically targeting households with children.

The Well at Oxon Run Opens

The Well at Oxon Run, a new community farm and wellness space in Ward 8, opens to the public for its first growing season.

2022

USDA People’s Garden

The Well at Oxon Run is designated a USDA People’s Garden.

2023

Community Leadership Initiative Pilot

DC Greens pilots Community Leadership Initiative (CLI), a community outreach and in-reach program that structures community member input into DC Greens’ work in order to strengthen and improve the local food system.

2024

Food Is Medicine CSA Pilot

DC Greens launches its newest pilot, a CSA program that provides fresh produce grown at The Well at Oxon Run to patients at Whitman-Walker health clinic with diet-related illnesses.

2025

Recent Awards & Recognition

DC Greens’ farm, The Well at Oxon Run, receives The District Sustainability Award, which highlights businesses, individuals, and organizations in the community that are working towards a more sustainable D.C.

DC Greens’ Produce Rx program receives
the John Benjamin Nichols Award, which
recognizes organizations and individuals
who have made exceptional contributions
toward advancing community health.

DC Greens receives the Community Partner
Hunger Leadership Award from the
Congressional Hunger Center, which fights
hunger by developing leaders and
advocating for public policies that will create
a food secure world.

Produce Rx was recognized by Edible DC
as the city’s best food access program.

DC Greens is named a “Critical Nonprofit”
by Spur Local (formerly Catalogue for
Philanthropy), a designation given to
organizations that are highly trusted in the
Greater Washington region.

DC Greens’ The Well at Oxon Run
is designated as a People’s Garden by the US
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which is
awarded to growing spaces that benefit the
community, incorporate sustainable
practices, and educate the public.

DC Greens was recognized with the Milan
Pact Award for innovative and impactful
initiatives that support sustainable,
inclusive, safe, and resilient urban food
systems.