A New Era of Food Access: The Fairmount Five Market
In a groundbreaking move to combat food insecurity, Prince George’s County has partnered with Goodr, an Atlanta-based social enterprise, to launch the Fairmount Five Market. This isn’t your typical food pantry; it is a fully functioning, free grocery store located right inside the Fairmount Heights Branch Library.
This initiative marks a significant milestone as the first Goodr location in the D.C. area and the first permanent store of its kind to operate within a library setting. By blending community resources with essential nutrition, the market aims to provide a sustainable solution for families struggling to put food on the table.
Prioritizing Dignity Over Charity
For many, the experience of receiving food assistance can feel stigmatizing. However, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, the founder and CEO of Goodr, emphasizes that the Fairmount Five Market is designed to preserve the dignity of every shopper.
“This is a real grocery store,” says Crowe-Houston. “We really want it to be about dignity and treating people well.”
Unlike traditional food banks where recipients might receive a pre-packed box of random items, this grocery store model allows residents to:
- n
- Choose their own items: Shoppers pick exactly what they need, from fresh produce and dairy to meat and juices.
- Shop with autonomy: The process mimics a standard retail experience, allowing families to select ingredients for specific meals they enjoy.
- Use sustainable practices: Participants are provided with reusable grocery bags to encourage environmental responsibility.
Combatting Food Deserts and Supporting Seniors
Fairmount Heights has long been classified as a food desert—an area where access to affordable, healthy food is limited. This lack of access disproportionately affects seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes that fall into a “gap”: they earn too much to qualify for federal food programs but too little to afford rising grocery store prices.
Prince George’s County Council member Shayla Adams-Stafford highlighted the emotional and physical toll this took on the community, noting that many seniors were “suffering in silence.” The opening of this market eliminates the need for elderly residents to travel miles just to find basic nutritional staples.
A Growing Movement Toward Food Justice
The Fairmount Five Market is just the beginning. Funded by a county grant, the project is already seeing high demand, with a waiting list already forming. To expand the impact, County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha announced that a second free grocery store is planned for District 7.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns with Maryland’s broader “Food is Medicine” strategy. This state-wide effort includes the Medically Tailored Meals program, which aims to deliver nearly 1 million meals to thousands of Marylanders, recognizing that nutrition is a cornerstone of healthcare.
How to Access the Market
The store operates on a set schedule to ensure efficiency and fairness. Families in Prince George’s County interested in joining the program can register through District 5 or directly via the library. Once accepted, households are notified of their designated shopping time to fill their bags with fresh, healthy essentials.
