Open Access Los Angeles Portal Launches to Empower Food Entrepreneurs
PRESS RELEASE JUNE 17, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Comprehensive Online Resource Guides New Businesses Through Planning, Permitting, and Growth
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC), in partnership with the USC Institute for Food System Inequity and Food & Society at the Aspen Institute, proudly announces the launch of Open Access Los Angeles, a new online portal designed to support food entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses in the city. This free resource provides a centralized hub with all the necessary information, tools, and links to navigate the complexities of opening a new food venture.
"Starting any new business is challenging, but the rules, regulations, and processes involved in opening a food business can be especially daunting," said Alba Velasquez, executive director of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. "Open Access LA demystifies that entire journey on one easy-to-use platform. This portal is a crucial component of our larger initiative to support good food businesses, providing the tools and resources they need to thrive in Los Angeles’ vibrant food landscape."
Key Features of Open Access LA:
Business Planning Resources: Guides for writing a business plan, getting funding, choosing a business structure, and more.
Food Business Specific Start-Up Checklist: A roadmap for all the permits, licenses, and certifications required for food trucks, restaurants, catering, and private labels.
Growth Strategies: Marketing tips, connections to restaurant associations and chambers of commerce, and other professional services tailored for the food industry.
“Los Angeles is one of the great food capitals of the world, and we want to make it as easy as possible for new culinary talents and concepts to take root here,” said Kayla de la Haye, director of the USC Institute for Food System Inequity. "Open Access LA gives entrepreneurs a huge head start by connecting all the dots."
Open Access Los Angeles is part of Food & Society at the Aspen Institute’s Open Access initiative, addressing the financial barriers faced by entrepreneurs when opening a first-time food business. Developed with the help of Carolina Karanja at Hack the Gap, the platform is an open-source web tool that cities, counties, and states can customize and host to support local food entrepreneurs.
“Los Angeles is a milestone achievement for Open Access to help food entrepreneurs navigate the resources available where they live,” said Corby Kummer, executive director of Food & Society.
Investing in Values-Based Businesses in Underserved Communities
The LAFPC is committed to fostering values-based businesses that prioritize health, sustainability, and equity, especially in underserved communities. By supporting local entrepreneurs, LAFPC aims to build a resilient food system that benefits all residents of Los Angeles.
"Supporting values-based businesses in underserved communities is essential to creating an equitable food landscape," said Velasquez. "Through initiatives like Open Access LA and the SoCal Impact Food Fund, we are dedicated to providing the necessary resources and opportunities for these businesses to flourish, thereby improving access to healthy, affordable food for all Angelenos."
LAFPC’s Good Food Business initiative has provided personalized technical assistance to nearly 100 food businesses, significantly increasing access to healthy food options and addressing resource gaps through more tailored support for food enterprises. Additionally, LAFPC has led policy initiatives that support healthy food businesses, emphasizing their role in enhancing access to sustainable food choices.
LAFPC recently launched the SoCal Impact Food Fund, a partnership aimed at supporting historically disenfranchised healthy food retailers and food enterprises by providing access to grants and credit enhancement opportunities. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Open Access LA platform's goal to close the equity gap in the food industry.
Next Steps
Open Access Los Angeles represents the first phase of a comprehensive resource hub for food businesses in Los Angeles. In the coming months, the LAFPC, in collaboration with its partners, will:
Expand the Good Food Zone Pilot Program: This program aims to create zones where healthy food businesses can thrive, providing local entrepreneurs with the support they need to succeed.
Launch the SoCal Impact Food Fund: Throughout Southern California, this fund will provide financial resources and technical assistance to support local food businesses, particularly those owned by historically disenfranchised groups.
Enhance the Healthy Neighborhood Market Network: Continuing to support local markets in underserved communities to provide healthier food options, ensuring that all residents have access to nutritious and affordable food.
By integrating these efforts, LAFPC and its partners aim to build a robust support system for food entrepreneurs, ensuring that all food businesses have the resources and guidance needed to thrive and contribute to a healthier, more equitable food landscape in Los Angeles.
Interested cities and organizations can view the Open Access web portal and download the open-source code and accompanying user guide at AspenFood.org/Open-Access
ABOUT LAFPC
Los Angeles Food Policy Council
The Los Angeles Food Policy Council (LAFPC) works to ensure food is healthy, affordable, fair and sustainable for all. We believe Good Food for All is possible and that all communities deserve access to good food, grown in a way that respects people and the planet. We work to create a local food system free from hunger, rooted in equity and access, supportive of farmers and food workers, and guided by principles of environmental stewardship and regeneration. To accomplish our vision of Good Food for All, we catalyze, coordinate and connect people across the LA region, including government, business and community groups working on food.
About USC Institute for Food System Inequity
USC Institute for Food System Inequity
The Institute for Food System Inequity generates actionable scientific insights to help build food systems that support human health, planetary health, and equity.
About Food & Society at the Aspen Institute
Food & Society at the Aspen Institute
Food & Society at the Aspen Institute brings together public health leaders, policymakers, researchers, farmers, chefs, food makers, and entrepreneurs to find practical solutions to food system challenges and inequities. The goal is to help people of all income levels eat better and more healthful diets—and identify and nourish the leaders from all realms who will help them do that. For more information about Food & Society’s initiatives and convenings, please visit www.AspenFood.org and follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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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
