Feeding East Los Angeles

Food insecurity and access to basic needs

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

In 2023, L.A. County faced a significant challenge with food insecurity, affecting 30% of households, an increase from the previous year. The most impacted were Latino low-income families (77%), women (59%), young adults (55%), and children (41%), highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. Eastmont is addressing a critical need by providing meal services to those vulnerable to food insecurity, including unhoused individuals, older adults with disabilities, and those in temporary housing. Without access to proper food storage or cooking facilities, these populations are at a heightened risk of nutritional deficiencies. Eastmont's kitchen initiative not only offers immediate relief in the form of nutritious meals but also contributes to the broader goal of destigmatizing food insecurity. By focusing on sustainability and equity, Eastmont is creating a model that can be replicated to foster food security and dignity for all individuals, regardless of their living situation.

Eastmont seeks to establish a social enterprise community kitchen to employ older adults, adults with disabilities, immigrants, veterans, justice-focused individuals, and long-term unemployed individuals who were affected during the COVID years. The focus and design to build a social enterprise is to implement a workforce development model. Creating a workforce based on aging, lived experiences, and people who have a challenging work history and/or difficult to find work opportunities. Through this social enterprise vision, Eastmont’s mission and value has been to enhance the quality of life for families in East Los Angeles by providing the pathway for people in the community to instill a social and economically equitable life that’s sustainable. The participants that will be part of Eastmont’s social enterprise will also be giving back into the community by preparing hot foods/meals to community members that are food insecure. Eastmont Community Center's initiative is a commendable approach to social inclusion and economic empowerment. By focusing on older adults and adults with disabilities, the program not only provides equitable employment opportunities but also facilitates their re-entry into the workforce. The integration of Eastmont’s client choice pantry and a community kitchen serves as practical venues for skill development and employment, addressing the financial challenges faced by those reliant on fixed incomes and fostering a path towards self-sufficiency.

The project is a strategic initiative, with a special emphasis on Latino and Indigenous populations living under the poverty line in East L.A. This focus aims to unlock a wealth of untapped potential that is key to driving transformative change within the community, setting a foundation for a more prosperous future. Our project is intricately tied to the objectives and strategies of The Los Angeles County Food Los Angeles Food Equity Roundtable Plan. At the core of our mission is the commitment to address food insecurity. Our dedication to this cause is evidenced by our decades-long legacy of distributing food and healthy meals to the most vulnerable residents of East Los Angeles. The plan emphasizes improving access to nutritious food and establishing sustainable food systems such as our strategic expansion of services: from the food pantry to the community gardens and farmers' markets, fostering a sustainable local food network.

Our engagement strategy is woven into every opportunity that touches the community. This includes sharing information during workshops, events, food distributions, case management, and canvassing the community. This is especially important given the persistent information gaps experienced within the Latino community. We also recognize the importance of continually gathering feedback and conducting community discussions to refine our outreach methods. This feedback loop helps us stay attuned to the community's evolving needs and allows us to adapt our services to meet those needs better. Eastmont Community Center's approach to engaging diverse participants is rooted in cultural sensitivity, collaborative partnerships, comprehensive outreach, ongoing adaptation, and providing culturally relevant resources. We understand that effective engagement goes beyond language proficiency; it requires a deep understanding of different communities' unique experiences and challenges.