WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 17, 2025) – Food & Friends, the region’s leading provider of medically tailored meals and nutrition services for individuals living with serious illnesses, today announced the appointment of Fernando Garcia as President of its Board of Directors for a term of two years. This leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment for the organization, as Food & Friends continues to increase its meal production to respond to a growing need for nutrition support across the Washington, D.C. region for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and other serious illnesses.
Fernando’s connection to Food & Friends spans more than two decades and reflects a deep, personal commitment to the organization’s mission. Shortly after arriving in Washington, D.C., he began supporting Food & Friends through AIDS Rides, later transitioning to hands-on service as a Thursday-afternoon kitchen volunteer beginning in 2010 and continuing today. Over the years, he has dedicated time and leadership to Food & Friends’ signature fundraising event—Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction, serving on the event Leadership Committee, including as co-chair in 2019.
“Food & Friends is incredibly grateful to have such compassionate and talented leaders who bring a diverse set of experiences to our board of directors, said Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH, CEO of Food & Friends. “Fernando understands Food & Friends not just from the boardroom, but from the kitchen floor. He has volunteered, fundraised, led, and listened—and that perspective is invaluable as we expand our medically tailored meal services to more neighbors in need and deepen our impact across the region.”
As Vice President at RLAH | @properties and a previous member of its Management Advisory Group, Fernando is known throughout the metropolitan region for his integrity, skill, and client-centered approach, having helped individuals and families achieve home ownership for more than twenty years. In 2018, Fernando joined Food & Friends’ Board of Directors and most recently has since served as Chair of the Nominating Committee, helping to shape and strengthen the organization’s volunteer leadership. Fernando’s collaborative spirit, financial acumen, and deep understanding of the community Food & Friends serves position him to help guide the organization at a pivotal moment of growth, ensuring its mission remains strong as it expands to meet rising regional need.
“It is an honor to serve as Board President for an organization that has shaped my life for more than two decades,” said Garcia. “I am excited to help lead Food & Friends as we grow our capacity and reach more neighbors who need us now more than ever. This organization was started to fill a gap not just in nutrition, but in compassion, and that’s what I hold in my heart.”
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About Food & Friends
Food & Friends is the Washington, D.C. region’s leading authority on Food is Medicine and the only community-based organization delivering medically tailored meals and providing medical nutrition therapy to neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses. Food & Friends’ services are free of charge to recipients who qualify solely based on their health status and nutritional needs, including for their dependents and caregivers. Monday-Saturday, staff and volunteers deliver to 6,172 square miles including the District of Columbia, nine counties in Maryland, and seven counties and six independent cities in Virginia. Nearly 2 million meals will be delivered to more than 5,800 individuals in 2026. Since 1988, Food & Friends has delivered more than 32.6 million meals to 53,500 individuals. The organization is accredited by the national Food is Medicine Coalition.
For more information, visit FoodAndFriends.org or Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact
Cameron Whitaker
Director of Communications
Email: cwhitaker@foodandfriends.org
Phone: (202) 269-6875