The food distribution nonprofit, Nourishing Bethesda, celebrated the launch of its latest initiative, Choice Market, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Bethesda.
The food bank is set up as a miniature grocery store in the rescue squad building at 5020 Battery Lane and focuses on giving people in need a choice in what food they receive rather than receiving groceries primarily through pre-sorted bags.
“It’s really about changing the way that we think about the transaction that is occurring between the two hands, the one who is giving and the one who is receiving,” County Council President Andrew Friedson (D-Dist. 1) said at the event attended by local officials. “Allowing for that choice, allowing for the dignity of making your own decisions about what goes into your body, making your own decisions about what you get to eat, is something that all of us here on a daily basis take for granted.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was about a 50% increase in the number of Montgomery County residents who were experiencing food insecurity, according to Heather Bruskin, director of the county’s Office of Food Systems Resilience. At the same time, there was an estimated 50% increase in the number of organizations that were providing food assistance in the county, Bruskin said last month. Local food pantries continue to struggle to keep up with the demands of a community facing increasing food insecurity.
Combined with decreasing pandemic-related government assistance, the end of a federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit supplement in March 2023 also has resulted in more residents needing help to feed their families, according to Earl Stoddard, the county’s assistant chief administrative officer.
“It is so important for organizations such as Nourishing Bethesda to provide opportunities like this,” Councilmember Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) said at the event. “This market will ensure dignity, will ensure empowerment, will ensure that we are providing nutrition and food, not just physically, but emotionally as well.”
According to Nourishing Bethesda’s deputy director Tammi Houton, clients are not asked to show proof of need.
“If you come to us and you say you need food, we’re not asking you questions,” Houston said.
However, clients do need to either live in a 47-square-mile area defined by Montgomery County Public Schools boundaries or work within Bethesda. Houton said it is important for the organization to support not only Bethesda residents, but the service workers who make Bethesda’s shopping and restaurant scene successful. Potential clients can find out if they are eligible while making an appointment by texting 301-664-4630 or emailing food@nourishingbethesda.org.
Previously, Nourishing Bethesda primarily provided food through pre-filled bags. The Choice Market will allow clients to decide what food is best for their family and to consider dietary restrictions and cultural preferences. Larger families will able to take home more food. The market also offers foods that are traditional to Latino and Asian cultures.
Houton said Nourish Bethesda will continue to use the bag model for some food distribution, but the organization is moving its focus to the market.
The program is part of a growing trend to allow food voucher recipients to make choices about their groceries. The ribbon-cutting ceremony came a week after the county government launched a program in partnership with Instacart called MC Groceries that will allow recipients of food vouchers to choose groceries and have them delivered.