Food insecurity is a growing concern for many Marylanders, particularly for those in Prince George’s County. About 17% of Maryland’s total food insecure population is concentrated in Prince George’s County, with many of those people in minority communities. One in seven people in the county are hurt by food insecurity.
Maryland’s most food insecure area, located in District 24, encompasses zip code 20743, which includes cities like Capitol Heights, Fairmount Heights, Walker Mill, Seat Pleasant, Coral Hills, and Pepper Mill Village. Too many Prince Georgians do not know where and when their next healthy meal is coming from — this is an ever-growing issue.
The lack of a stable food system also contributes to declining public health outcomes. The food insecure population faces problems such as higher rates of anemia, cognitive defects, depression, and chronic health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity as a result of lack of access to affordable healthy meals. Children, in particular, are impacted by this growing problem, contributing to an over 16% child obesity rate in the county. Declining health in turn causes higher health care costs for an already struggling population. Marylanders, especially Prince Georgians, need a lasting long-term solution to food insecurity because they deserve a fair equitable opportunity to live their best lives.
Although state, county, and local leaders have made significant strides in combating food inequity, much work remains. Prince George’s County released its Food Desert Relief Plan, the county created its Food Equity Council in 2017, and there are over 30 local pantries in the area. Local District 24 community activist Christopher Stevenson, who suffered from food insecurity and malnourishment as a child, has held a number of community events to combat food insecurity.