The Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum has dedicated this year to food, food culture, and justice. As part of this year-long examination, the museum has opened a new outdoor exhibit that focuses on food insecurity throughout the greater Washington area.
The exhibit “Food for the People: Eating and Activism in Greater Washington,” is located on the museum’s plaza at 1901 Fort Place in Southeast. The outdoor exhibit asks visitors to consider where their food comes from, who produces and prepares it, and who has access to fresh food.
In a virtual program celebrating the new exhibit Dr. Samir Meghelli, the museum’s chief curator, described the sharp food disparity in DC. “One striking statistic regarding food access in our area is that D.C.’s wealthiest and whitest ward has a full-service grocery store for every 9,336 residents, whereas our least wealthy and most African-American ward has one store for every 85,160 residents. A critical component of ‘Food for the People’ is that it offers suggestions for how visitors can contribute to making a more just and sustainable food system in their local communities,” Meghelli said.
“Food for the People: Eating and Activism in Greater Washington,” will be on view until September 17. A related indoor exhibit will be on view when the museum reopens its building.