LA Foodscapes: Tackling the Crisis of Feeding Our Housing Insecure Angelenos

SEPTEMBER 14, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

LAFPC Event to Explore Groundbreaking Solutions for Food Insecurity Among LA’s Unhoused Residents

Los Angeles, CA – September 18, 2024 – Thousands of Angelenos face the daily reality of homelessness and food insecurity, a crisis hidden in plain sight. As LA continues to grapple with rising homelessness, an often-overlooked issue remains: how do unhoused residents access the healthy, reliable food they need to survive? The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) invites you to LA Foodscapes: Feeding Our Housing Insecure Angelenos, a transformative event that delves into this critical issue and proposes bold new solutions.

Taking place on Wednesday, September 18 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Huffington Center in Los Angeles, LA Foodscapes will bring together advocates, individuals with lived experience, and policy leaders to explore the intersection of homelessness and food insecurity. The event will offer a powerful platform for rethinking how food systems can serve as a lifeline for LA’s most vulnerable populations.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Personal Stories: Hear directly from individuals who have lived on the frontlines of homelessness and hunger.
Panel Discussion and Q&A: Featuring top local leaders in housing, food justice, and community organizing.
Next Steps for Change: A moderated discussion on the steps needed to create a more just food system for our unhoused neighbors.
Resource Fair: Connect with organizations working to address food and housing insecurity in LA.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Suzette Shaw, a Skid Row advocate and speaker, will share her experience navigating food deserts while living on General Relief.
Todd Cunningham, leads LA CAN's Food & Wellness Collaborative, developing community-centered organizing and power-building approaches to elevate voices of those with lived experience to address extreme hunger and food insecurity.
Ashley Bennett, Director of Homelessness at LA City Controller’s Office, will discuss policy efforts to support unhoused residents.
Danny Park, Co-founder of Skid Row People’s Market, will highlight how local businesses can be a force for food justice.
Eric Ares (Moderator), Housing and Homelessness Director for LA City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, brings 20 years of experience in poverty and homelessness solutions to lead the panel discussion.
Kayo Anderson, Development and Artistic Director of Creating Justice LA, will speak on the intersection of art, homelessness, and community healing.
Saba Mwine-Chang, Deputy Chief Equity Officer at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), will provide insight on fostering equity-driven, culturally informed services for unhoused individuals.
Theo Henderson, Host of the We The Unhoused podcast, will offer a unique perspective as someone currently experiencing homelessness and actively amplifying unhoused voices.
Melissa Acedera, Founder of Polo’s Pantry and Co-founder of Home-y Made Meals will facilitate our summarizing session on next steps. Her experience in grassroots organizing and community-based meal distribution will offer perspective on how community can create change together.

Sam Polk, CEO of Everytable, a social enterprise addressing food deserts and advancing food justice by making fresh, nutritious meals affordable and accessible in LA’s underserved communities.

"Food insecurity and homelessness are deeply intertwined challenges that our city can no longer afford to overlook," said Alba Velasquez, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. "Through LA Foodscapes, we want to elevate the voices of those who have lived these struggles, and highlight community-driven solutions that address both hunger and housing. Food is not just about survival—it’s about dignity, equity, and justice."

WHY THIS EVENT IS SO CRITICAL

With homelessness and hunger escalating in Los Angeles, LA Foodscapes is not just a discussion—it’s a call to action. This event will provide a platform for changemakers, grassroots organizers, and everyday citizens to come together, share insights, and build strategies that work.

JOIN US

We invite you to be part of this crucial conversation. Register now to reserve your spot, learn from experts, and take action to help build a more just and sustainable food system for all Angelenos.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM PDT
Location: Huffington Center, 1324 Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Registration: Feeding Our Housing Insecure Angelenos Tickets, Wed, Sep 18, 2024 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

ABOUT LAFPC

Los Angeles Food Policy Council

LAFPC is dedicated to creating a food system where food is healthy, affordable, and sustainable for all. We work collaboratively with stakeholders across the region to address food equity, environmental justice, and economic development, ensuring a better future for our most vulnerable communities.