Fresh on Wheels: Refrigerated Mobile Food Pantry

Food insecurity and access to basic needs

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Food insecurity is an increasingly pressing issue in LA County. The “Understanding America Study” by USC Dornsife found that the rate of food insecurity among low-income households increased to 44% in July 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The study also revealed that food insecurity affects Black and Hispanic individuals at twice the rate of their white counterparts. Further, LA Works found that one in three individuals in Los Angeles County have difficulty getting food because of lack of reliable transportation to grocery stores or food banks. Compounding this issue, hot weather increases food spoilage rates, making it harder for people without reliable transportation to access and preserve fresh and refrigerated food, particularly if they have to walk or travel long distances using public transport. In Pomona, over 80% of the population are people of color (72% Hispanic and 10% Black), with over 14% living below the poverty line, leading to high levels of food insecurity.

We will purchase a refrigerated food van that we’ll use as a mobile food pantry that can safely deliver groceries to those without transportation, senior citizens, shut-ins, and individuals with developmental disabilities, ensuring equitable access to essential resources within our community. The program was launched in 2020 during the pandemic and has served 400 families weekly since then, but the need has outgrown our delivery ability as food insecurity has increased. The refrigerated truck will streamline our deliveries as the drivers can do longer routes, enabling us to serve more families while ensuring the food is delivered safely. This van is part of GP transition to become a fully electric operation with a solar array and batteries which will not only reduce our delivery carbon footprint but also the greenhouse gasses created by food waste. Our food bank recovers food from local Edible Food Generators (EFG’s) and quickly and safely gets it into the hands of our clients. The program stands to divert over 832,000 pounds of edible food away from the landfills while avoiding 54,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of 3.4 million miles of ICE transportation.

If successful, our program will demonstrate to other cities and funders in LA County that effective, environmentally friendly solutions exist to alleviate food insecurity. As a mobile pantry, we can be responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve over time. Refrigerated vans make it easier for us to adapt and extend our routes as needed. By October 2025, we plan to purchase at least one additional refrigerated van to increase the number of families and cities we can serve. Mobile grocery delivery not only meets immediate needs but also frees up disposable income for families, enabling them to cover emergency expenses like bills, medication, and rent. This financial relief can play a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of poverty for many families by enabling them to allocate resources to critical expenses. This holistic approach not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes sustainability, community resilience, and economic development.

We will measure success by the number of families served every week. Our goal is to grow our current number of deliveries (400) by 25% every year until we can deliver to 1,000 households. We also will measure the quality and quantity of food delivered, the extent it meets client needs, and overall client satisfaction, through regular surveys to gather feedback on the quality of service, satisfaction with food options, and their experience with our delivery teams. This way we can ensure we’re providing food that is nutritious, culturally relevant, and sustainable.