L.A. County grants $10 million to nonprofits to advance food equity

L.A. County officials announced today community grants to 31 nonprofits totalling $10 million. 

The County’s Chief Sustainability Office stated this is the second round of funding from the LA Food Equity Fund which last year granted $10 million. 

“These grants will expand access to nutritious food, create local jobs, and support families in every corner of our County,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “I’m proud to support a collaborative approach that strengthens our food systems and promotes health equity for all.”

Tapping into federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, the County and Community Partners are now supporting 78 organizations working to create more access to affordable and nutritious food across the Southland. 

Nearly 1 in 4 County households experienced food insecurity in 2024, according to USC researchers. 

“Nearly all of L.A. County's food comes from beyond our foodshed and outside of our state, meaning that profits from our billions of dollars of food purchases are not benefiting our County,” said Paula Daniels, executive director of the LA County Office of Food Systems. “Increasing localization of our healthy food system by creating more farmer-led food hubs, expanding market match programs, sourcing locally for medically tailored meals, and creating more community gardens and urban agriculture opportunities, among other initiatives, could create many new jobs and bring significant revenue back into our economy.” 

Food production organizations supported by the Fund include Crop Swap LA’s and Grow2Zero’s microfarms feeding local residents in South L.A. and Long Beach, and the WOW Flower Project’s farm that feeds communities.

"As a strong advocate for the LA Food Equity Fund, I have urged continued funding to ensure we can keep supporting families struggling with food insecurity,” said Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor for the First District. “This program is essential for addressing the critical needs of our most vulnerable residents, many of whom face the difficult choice between paying rent and putting food on the table. By providing resources to organizations like God’s Pantry, Homeboy Industries, and Union Station Homeless Services, we are directly combating food insecurity by offering fresh, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. These nonprofits are vital in supporting our communities, and this investment not only supports their immediate efforts but also strengthens our long-term commitment to advancing equity, economic opportunity, and climate resilience throughout the County."

Supply-chain resilience groups receiving funds include Food Forward and FoodCycle, which recover surplus fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods to redistribute to partner organizations across the County. The Japanese American Cultural and Community Center is recruiting Japanese-American farmers with small- and mid-sized farms to participate in providing culturally relevant produce for low-income shoppers via a Little Tokyo Farmers Market.  

Food access grants range from the Watts Labor Community Action Committee’s food pantry and distribution program to the Thai Community Development Center’s East Hollywood Farmers Market, as well as supporting homeless services organizations The Midnight Mission, Union Station Homeless Services, Hope the Mission, and LA Family Housing to expand their food production and storage capacity to serve tens of thousands of meals daily. 

Nutrition education awardees include Pico Union Project, which hires local community members to provide nutrition and wellness services at weekly community farmers markets, and Pools of Hope, which provides culturally appropriate nutritious food preparation classes and safe food handling education in North Long Beach, Compton and Paramount. 

Food as medicine awardees include the Health Consortium of Greater San Gabriel Valley, which works with five area hospitals to expand access to medically tailored meals for MediCal patients living with or at risk of chronic diseases, and South Los Angeles Health Projects, which advocates for postpartum birth parents who are no longer able to participate in WIC and are experiencing diabetes or high blood pressure, or whose infants were born preterm or with congenital issues. 

Community Partners is also partnering with the newly formed LA County Office of Food Systems, a public-private partnership created by the County of Los Angeles in partnership with philanthropy. 

You can see the full list of awarded grantees here.