New federal food guidelines clash with food access reality in Baltimore

Local dietitians concerned new USDA/DHHS pyramid emphasizing whole, non-processed foods ignores accessibility issues

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:55pm

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have released new dietary guidelines for Americans from 2025-2030, unveiling an updated food pyramid that places renewed emphasis on whole, non-processed foods. However, local Baltimore dietitians say the new guidelines fail to account for the realities of food access and affordability challenges faced by many residents, particularly in underserved urban areas.

Why it matters

The new federal guidelines promote healthier eating, but Baltimore dietitians warn they could be confusing or misleading for residents already struggling with limited access to affordable, fresh foods. The guidelines' focus on minimizing processed foods ignores the prevalence of 'food deserts' in the city, where residents have little choice but to rely on unhealthy, processed options.

The details

The updated food pyramid flips the original model, placing a greater emphasis on whole, non-processed foods. However, local experts say this ignores the reality that most foods in the U.S. undergo some level of processing to be transported and sold, especially in urban areas like Baltimore. Around 16% of Baltimore residents live in 'Healthy Food Priority Areas,' formerly known as 'food deserts,' where fresh, healthy options are scarce and processed, unhealthy foods dominate.

  • The new dietary guidelines were released on January 7, 2026 and will serve as official guidance from 2025-2030.
  • The Baltimore City 2024 Food Environment Brief found that 16.2% of residents live in 'Healthy Food Priority Areas' as of 2024.

The players

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

A federal executive department responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

A federal executive department that develops and executes policies related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and nutrition.

Chinasa Ekweariri

An instructor in the nutritional sciences program at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Angela Roberson

A registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist who serves as the regional clinical manager for MedStar Health's Food Rx program.

Saj Dillard

The director of equity and engagement at 6th Branch, a nonprofit organization that addresses food access and nutrition in Baltimore.

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What they’re saying

“To the average American, I'm pretty sure that it can be quite confusing, misleading and guiding them down the wrong path, undoing what we've been trying to do for such a long time.”

— Chinasa Ekweariri, Instructor, Nutritional Sciences Program, Morgan State University

“The USDA, telling us not to consume processed foods is ignoring a huge issue that is going on in a majority of American cities, which is food deserts, specifically in urban communities like Baltimore. You can't say don't eat processed foods and then not fix the bigger issue of having no access to foods.”

— Chinasa Ekweariri, Instructor, Nutritional Sciences Program, Morgan State University

“Before we can say to people, 'Eat whole foods, minimize processed foods,' we are going to have to overhaul our agricultural system and stop looking at food as a commodity and start looking at healthy food as a right so that people actually have access to this nutrition guideline that they're proposing.”

— Angela Roberson, Registered Dietitian, MedStar Health

“I want people to have the choice and to feel empowered in that choice that they have.”

— Saj Dillard, Director of Equity and Engagement, 6th Branch

What’s next

Experts say broader changes to the U.S. agricultural system and increased access to affordable, healthy food options will be necessary for the new federal dietary guidelines to be realistically achievable for most Americans, especially in underserved urban areas like Baltimore.

The takeaway

The new federal food guidelines promote healthier eating, but Baltimore dietitians warn they could be confusing or misleading for residents already struggling with limited access to affordable, fresh foods. Addressing systemic issues of food deserts and making healthy options more accessible must go hand-in-hand with updating dietary recommendations.