Key Foodie Groups - LA

As part of my endeavor to increase access to higher qualities of food for people of all backgrounds, here is my working list of key contributors.

There are a lot of concepts to unpack and explain here, so feel free to comment, question and share!

Some concerns with sustainable farming & novel projects.

Food Security / Food Access: Midnight Mission: Skid Row Food & Shelter for Homeless This organization is one of the original groups that have been providing food and shelter for homeless people in the roughest part of LA. Around since 1917.

Step Up on Vine  Supportive Housing for Homeless, aeroponic rooftop farm based in Hollywood

https://www.instagram.com/futurecitypantry/ This is an amazing group that sets up refrigerators that anybody is free to access. They regularly collect supplies and restock these fridges. Anyone with open space and electrical outlet can can collaborate with them to set one up!

Urban Farming / Community Gardens: Avenue 33 Farm - https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2019-10-10/avenue33-urban-farm-grows-in-los-angeles Large private residence that converted their hilly yard into a food producing space.

5 LA Urban Farms - LA Food Article https://lafood.com/5-urban-farms-making-a-difference-in-los-angeles/

Growing Experience - Carmelitos, Long Beach 7 Acre urban farm -Sustainable farming (Cali native plants) -aquaponic greenhouse

Farm LA - repurposes vacant /unused land into Urban Farms. ‘Sidewalk mini-farm Projects’ Have a permanent location in Elysian Valley.  Donate portions of their growth to food banks, senior homes and community fruit shares Focus on beans and grains instead of tomatoes and lettuce (water intensive)

Lettuce Grow - Aeroponics Systems Install and maintain aeroponics systems Based in Playa Vista Partnered with ‘The Farm Project’

**High Quality Food Producers: **

Directory of Wild Grown, Grassfed, or Pasture Raised Producers http://www.eatwild.com/products/california.html

List of LA Farms that sell Produce Box bundles https://www.theinfatuation.com/los-angeles/guides/produce-boxes-la-csa-local-farms

LA Times - Affordable Pasture Raised Chicken https://www.latimes.com/food/la-xpm-2013-jun-22-la-dd-with-the-help-of-a-few-readers-at-last-an-affordable-chicken-20130621-story.html Chickens can cost up to $35 Article Mentions: Kendor Farm (Van Nuys) and Lily’s Eggs (Fillmore) as value alternatives

Kowalke Organics - Sprouts  Downey, CA https://www.kowalkefarms.com/

Organic Harvest Garden - Community Garden and Dining Venue Long Beach, CA

Long Beach Farms - Community Garden selling Produce Boxes Long Beach, CA https://www.longbeachfarms.com/

Primal Pastures:  Patterson Family Organics - Pasture Raised Chickens

Rancho Vasquez Farms - Organic Avocado Grove Azusa, CA https://ranchovasquez.com/

Quality Food Purveyors: Fermentation Farm - Fermented and Organic Store Costa Mesa, CA https://fermfarm.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ferm.farm/

The Ocean's Yield - Seafood Fountain Valley, CA

Civic / Municipal / Advocacy Organizations: La Food Policy Council https://www.goodfoodla.org/describe-what-youre-all-about https://www.instagram.com/lagoodfood/ https://twitter.com/GoodFoodLA https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesFoodPolicyCouncil

Food Advocacy & Food Systems UCLA - Resnick Center for Food Law & Policy https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/resnick-center-food-law-policy

Nourish California  (slow site) https://nourishca.org/our-work/what-we-do/advocacy/ Covers all California Advocacy, Policy Crafting & Research Offices in Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego

University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources - (slightly dated site) https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanAg/ Resource for Legal and Business Process of starting an Urban Farm Contains production & Growing Advice as well

*Exploration in the future - LA Times, OC Register Food Writers

Interesting Entrepreneurial Companies: Local Roots  https://www.instagram.com/localrootsfarms/ Startup that upcycles shipping containers into ‘TerraFarms,’ self contained hydroponics containers.  (Possibly no longer operating)

LA Urban Farms - hydroponics towers https://laurbanfarms.com/partners/

Local and community farms are relatively prevalent in the Los Angeles region and many coops offer weekly produce boxes.

Slightly harder to find are pasture raised animals. These farms are typically located a few hours out of the city. Pricing on these are going to be much much higher than at a typical grocery market.

Finding the ideal price point for each situation requires some consideration, but there are still many other ways to support these food initiatives!