Our Story Grows: Revolutionizing LA's Food Future

Food insecurity and access to basic needs

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

In Los Angeles, many neighborhoods lack access to farm-fresh food, creating food deserts affecting 2.3 million residents. This leads to high rates of food insecurity and health issues. "Our Story Grows," evolving from "Party at the Market," aims to transform these areas into hubs.
We advocate for food equity, believing quality shouldn't be determined by income. As part of "Our Story Grows," "Party at the Market" is a free farmers market bringing farm-fresh produce to those in need, with live entertainment turning a market day into a celebration. Also part of this program, "Verse on the Vine" offers a free monthly box of farm-fresh produce to sustain families. Seed packets and guides help locals grow gardens.
This combats food insecurity and builds community resilience, ensuring those receiving aid don't compromise on quality. By focusing on farm-fresh produce, we uphold that everyone deserves healthy, high-quality food, aligning with LA2050’s vision for a healthier, connected LA.

Our Story Is presents "Our Story Grows," a new program evolving from our "Party at the Market" initiative, designed to combat food insecurity and transform food deserts in LA’s underserved communities.
At the heart of "Our Story Grows" is "Party at the Market," a free farmers market where residents can shop for farm-fresh produce and meals from local eateries at no cost, fostering a vibrant community with live entertainment. This dignified approach to food distribution celebrates community and fellowship while providing high-quality nutrition.
Additionally, "Our Story Grows" includes "Verse on the Vine," a free monthly farm-fresh produce subscription box that delivers fresh, organic produce directly to families, ensuring consistent access to healthy food, even for those who cannot attend the markets.
The program also features a seed packet distribution initiative, offering packets and growing guides at the markets and online. This encourages home gardening, empowering residents to grow their own food in window sill herb gardens or small plots, fostering self-sufficiency.
Approximately 2.3 million LA County residents live in food deserts, lacking access to farm-fresh food. By providing free access to high-quality produce and the tools to grow their own food, "Our Story Grows" aims to reshape these areas into centers of community and nutrition. This program aligns with LA2050’s vision, making Los Angeles a leader in addressing food insecurity and building resilient communities.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will be transformed as food deserts become hubs of farm-fresh produce accessible to everyone, regardless of income level. Through "Our Story Grows," we will reach over 1.2 million residents in food deserts with markets, subscription boxes, and seed packets, leading to improved nutrition and food security.
This will empower residents to grow their own food, whether in window sill herb gardens or small plots, creating self-sufficient communities. Our long-term goal, Verse Farms, will supply produce for these initiatives and serve as an educational center. Partnering with schools, we will provide hands-on learning in vertical farming and aquaponics, teaching the importance of growing their own food and emphasizing food accessibility and equity.
Our approach aligns with LA2050’s vision, driving long-term positive change for a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable LA County, making it a model for urban agriculture and food equity.

The "Our Story Grows" program, evolving from our "Party at the Market" events, aims to scale and transform food accessibility in LA County. Success is defined by key metrics.
Scalability is crucial; we aim to expand "Party at the Market" from 1,000 to 2,000 market-goers per event. We will establish regular distributions for our "Verse on the Vine" produce subscription and increase seed packet distribution, targeting 5,000 participants by the grant period's end.
Access to farm-fresh produce is measured by the volume distributed and increased consumption in the communities we serve. We aim for 70% of recipients in food deserts to start gardens with our resources, whether window sill herb gardens or small plots.
Our vision includes establishing "Verse Farms" to grow produce for our markets, subscription boxes, and seed packets. Verse Farms will partner with schools for tours, showcasing vertical farming and aquaponics, aligning with LA2050’s vision for a healthier, more equitable LA.