Healthy Living Inc

Healthy Living, Inc. (HLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of DC residents through education and community-building around healthy food.  In a city where nearly 11% of households in 2018 (https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx#foodsecure) could not be sure of having enough food year round, Healthy Living, Inc provides critical support «empowering people of all backgrounds, regardless of income, to plan and prepare simple, delicious, healthy meals in an environment that is supportive and safe, and which fosters community spirit. 

Since 2007, HLI has helped 1000s from all walks of life—from school-aged children and middle-school aged youth living in underserved comunities to adults experiencing homelessness— learning to incorporate healthy cooking into their challenging lifestyles and limited budgets. Our programs aim to reconnect individuals to cooking, and cooking healthily, helping them take control of their health and, ultimately, their destiny.

Food security has only become more dire, and our services more needed, during the COVID-19 epidemic.  Nearly 1 in 5 workforce aged residents in the DC, Maryland, & Virginia (DMV) area applied for unemployment during the COVID-19 epidemic (https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/05/21/1-in-5-jobless-claims-filed-hardest-hit-zip-codes-virginia-maryland-analysis-shows/), and prices for basic, healthy food has increased—if staples are available at all.  The need for social distancing is creating a parallel epidemic of loneliness and isolation, putting increased pressure on families and erecting barriers to self-care through healthy eating.

HLI is dedicated to responding to this crisis.  We have pivoted our programs—both our school-based and community programs—to virtual classes and communities.  With the DC commitment to providing school-aged children with hotspots, we are able to ensure that children can continue to learn about healthy foods and enjoy meal preparation with their families.  And as DC commits to providing temporary housing to vulnerable homeless populations, we are able to help them source and prepare healthy foods, finding community, learning, and controlling their destiny.

But our community isn’t limited to those we teach.  Our community includes all of our supporters, who through their gifts become a part of the journey to make DC a healthier city.  We invite you to join us in « nourishing, connecting, transforming » — supporting the denizens of this great city as they empower themselves to live healthier, more delicious lives.