CAFB Urban Demonstration Garden

The Capital Area Food Bank is the anchor of the hunger relief infrastructure in the Washington Metro region, providing more than 30 million meals to people in communities across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. But we don’t stop there, because we know that creating long term solutions to hunger requires more than meals. It requires education, training, and opportunity. In short, it demands ideas that address the big picture. That’s why we’re approaching the problem in multiple ways: providing food for today, and addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs and health care.

Without good food, everything becomes more difficult—including thinking, learning, growing, and staying healthy. Every day, our partners, donors, and volunteers help to change that for thousands of people in need by enabling us to source, and distribute an average of 88,000 daily meals—more than 30 million meals a year.

Our half-acre Urban Demonstration Garden offers an outdoor “learning laboratory” where community members can learn how to grow good, nutritious food with just a small piece of land, or even a container on a windowsill. From planting to nurturing to harvesting, our garden allows others – including our food assistance partners, volunteers, donors, and staff – to experience the joy of growing delicious food while gaining a new appreciation for produce and the important role it plays in our health. Gardening not only offers a chance to connect with the soil no matter where you live; it empowers people to grow the healthy food they need to thrive.