Food Day Series 2024: Building Bridges to Healthy Food Access
October 7, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LAFPC hosts 6-part event series on healthy food access for National and World Food Day
Los Angeles, CA – September 30, 2024 – The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) is proud to announce its 13th annual Food Day celebration with a six-part event series titled "Building Bridges to Healthy Food Access," from Wednesday, October 16 through Friday, October 25, 2024. In alignment with National and World Food Day, the series will focus on addressing systemic obstacles that prevent equitable access to healthy, sustainable, and affordable food for all Los Angeles residents.
ABOUT FOOD DAY 2024
Food Day is a national movement dedicated to promoting healthier diets and advocating for food policy reform. Each October, communities across the U.S. gather to raise awareness and push for lasting change in the food system. In Los Angeles, Food Day 2024 will serve as a platform to bring together policy leaders, community organizers, urban farmers, small business owners, and public health experts to engage in conversations aimed at building a more inclusive and resilient food ecosystem.
WHY THE SERIES MATTERS
Despite its wealth, Los Angeles faces significant challenges in ensuring access to healthy food, particularly in historically marginalized communities. Food insecurity remains a pressing issue, compounded by economic instability and the impacts of climate change. This year’s event series will shine a spotlight on community-led efforts to tackle these challenges and explore collaborative solutions that can lead to long-term, transformative change.
“Food justice is a cornerstone of equity. We cannot achieve true community resilience until everyone, regardless of zip code or income level, has access to healthy, affordable food,” said Alba Velasquez, Executive Director of LAFPC. “This series is about uniting advocates, decision-makers, and community members to confront the barriers that keep so many of our neighbors from the food security they deserve. Together, we can create meaningful change.”
LAFPC invites community members, advocates, and stakeholders from all sectors to join these crucial conversations. Registration is now open for all events, with limited availability for select private events. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn from experts, and take action to help build a more just and sustainable food system for all Angelenos.
EVENT SERIES DETAILS
October 16 - World Food Day Convening: Farm to School Matchmaking & USDA Connections
10am-2pm - Farmers and urban growers in the region are invited to attend a 2-part workshop hosted by LAFPC’s Cultivating Farmers program along with our partners at the Farm Service Agency.
October 17 - LA Foodscapes: Strengthening a Post Pandemic Retail Food Economy
6pm-8:30pm - Town hall panel discussion with food journalists, labor organizations, and small food business owners to explore local city and county initiatives supporting good food businesses and actionable steps to enhance both healthy food accessibility and local economic vitality.
October 23 - Healthy Markets LA Walking Tour (Private Event)
11am-1pm - Leaders across the LA region focusing on healthy food access are invited to attend a walking tour highlighting a community hub in El Sereno working to create an ecosystem of locally grown and sourced healthy food:
October 24 - Cultivation Breakfast (Private Event)
7:30am-9:30am - Breakfast event bringing together community leaders and key influencers from across the LA food system offering a unique opportunity to break bread, connect, discuss important issues, explore collaborations, and cultivate the relationships that help shape our community’s future.
October 24 - Pathways to Food Equity: A Dialogue Across the Food Landscape
10am-3:30pm - Collaborative event with Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health on healthy food access from a variety of angles from urban agriculture, food retail, supply chain logistics, and more.
October 25 - City Hall Resolution and Celebration on South Lawn
10am-2pm - LA City Council meeting in City Hall Chambers for Food Day’s official resolution sponsored by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez. The resolution will be followed by a celebration and resource fair on South Lawn with community partners and a live cooking demonstration.
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, LA City Council District 1 (10/25)
Doug Smith, Inclusive Action (10/17)
Mona Holmes, Eater LA (10/17)
Brittney Valles, Guerilla Tacos and Regarding Her (10/17)
Daniel Fernandez, TMC Community Capital (10/17)
Alexandra Suh, KIWA (10/17)
Paulina Lopez, Guelaguetza Restaurant (10/17)
Erika Crenshaw, El Sereno Green Grocer (10/23)
Angela Flores, Mercado del Pueblo Co-Op (10/23)
Omar Brownson, LA Community Gardens (10/23)
Sophia Riemer Bopp, CA Department of Food and Agriculture (10/16)
Tracey Kimura, CA Department of Food and Agriculture (10/16)
Evelin Carias, Los Angeles-Orange-San Bernardino Counties FSA (10/16)
Juan Flores, Los Angeles-Orange Counties FSA (10/16)
Jamie Quarfeld, Urban Service Center (10/16)
More to be announced!
JOIN US
Members of the media are encouraged to attend and cover this impactful event series. Press credentials, interview opportunities with keynote speakers, and behind-the-scenes access are available.
View our full event details to learn about the experts participating throughout the series taking action to help build a more just and sustainable food system for all Angelenos.
ABOUT LAFPC
Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) is committed to building a food system that is healthy, sustainable, and accessible to everyone. By working with community organizations, local leaders, and policymakers, LAFPC advocates for food policies that address equity, environmental justice, and economic sustainability. Through its collaborative approach, LAFPC aims to create a future where food is a human right for all communities in Los Angeles.
OUR PARTNERS
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For all media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Para todas las consultas de los medios de comunicacion en Espanol, comuniquese con:
jocelyn ramirez, Communications and Engagement Strategist, LA Food Policy Council, jocelyn@goodfoodla.org
