Inspiring Communities: Local Solutions to Food Insecurity

At Our Seat at the Table, we're committed to fostering a world where everyone has equitable access to nutritious food. In the face of the food insecurity epidemic, it's imperative that we seek out and utilize local resources to promote food equity for all. Today, we're shining a spotlight on two remarkable organizations right here in Los Angeles that are inspiring positive change in our community: Food Connect Group and The LA County Food Equity Roundtable.

Food Connect Group

Food Connect Group's mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the gaps in our food system and build healthier communities. Their vision? A world where real-time, open-network collaboration and scalable distribution services enable equitable access to healthy food resources.

With 1 in 10 people in the US facing food insecurity despite our food supply being four times more than needed, Food Connect Group tackles the issue head-on. They recognize that 4 million Americans live in food deserts, with limited access to healthy food, while 40% of our food supply goes to waste. Moreover, poor diet contributes to chronic diseases and 22% of deaths among adults.

Food Connect Group partners directly with organizations striving to make healthy food more accessible. They deliver nutritious meals directly to individuals who cannot safely or easily access meal sites. By providing innovative technology and logistics expertise, they empower partners to focus on direct customer care. After partnering with Food Connect Group, organizations have seen an average increase of 65% in meals delivered.

The LA County Food Equity Roundtable

The LA County Food Equity Roundtable envisions a stronger and healthier L.A. County where communities have sufficient, nutritious, culturally appropriate food from a resilient and sustainable food system. They uphold values of equitable access to healthy food as a human right, the power of coordinated efforts and collective impact, and the virtue of disruptive innovation. 

Their mission is to implement cross-sector solutions to achieve food and nutrition security in L.A. County, particularly in underserved communities. They aim to enable food justice by enhancing access, affordability, and consumption of nutritious food, advancing equitable impact of food public benefits and distribution programs, and garnering political and financial support for resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.

How You Can Help: Get Inspired, Take Action

The tireless efforts of organizations like Food Connect Group and The LA County Food Equity Roundtable remind us of the importance of seeking local solutions to food insecurity and promoting food equity in our communities. If others can do work towards a better tomorrow, you can make a difference too. Consider donating your time or resources, volunteering with these or other local organizations, or even starting your own initiative inspired by these remarkable examples – just like we did here at Our Seat at the Table! Together, we can nourish our communities and build a future where everyone has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.

Join us in supporting Food Connect Group, The LA County Food Equity Roundtable, and other local initiatives striving to create a more equitable food system. Together, we can make a difference, one meal at a time.