ABOUT
The Full Story
We are three high school students from LA County, California. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we began to see a rise in food insecurity as employment rates and small businesses suffered. At the same time, while members in our community struggled to find sufficient meals, amounts of food waste in LA county rapidly increased. We wondered: “How can so much food be wasted when so many people are going hungry?”
One of the biggest problems surrounding food insecurity is food distribution. Here in the U.S., enough food is produced to support every inhabitant of our country; however, many remain food insecure because of inadequate food availability. We believed that there was a way to support smaller food distribution centers who have a hard time securing enough food to feed those who depend on their services.
Another problem is the lack of awareness surrounding food insecurity, so we made it part of our mission to involve and educate local high school students about food insecurity in our own city. Food Chain LA emerged as a way to connect high school students to their community through collecting unused food (mainly fresh produce) from local farmers markets and bakeries, and distributing it to small neighborhood organizations.
Our Food Sources
The South Pasadena Farmers Market
"Year-round open-air market, open 4-8 PM Thursdays, featuring fruit, vegetables & local vendors."
Weekly: Every Thursday from 4 pm - 8 pm
920 Meridian Ave, S Pasadena, CA 91030
The Altadena Farmers Market
Weekly: Every Saturday from 4 pm - 7 pm
587 W Palm St, Altadena, CA 91001
The Atwater Village Farmers Market:
"Weekly outdoor market offering farm-fresh produce, nuts & dried fruits, plus special events."
Weekly: Every Sunday from 9 am - 2 pm
3528 Larga Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
The La Cañada Flintridge Farmers Market:
"Saturday-only farmer's market with many organic goods featuring items from produce to baked goods."
Weekly: Every Saturday from 8 am - 1 pm
1300 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
The Alhambra Farmers Market:
Weekly: Every Sunday from 8 am - 1:30 pm
100 S 2nd St, Alhambra, CA 91801
The Pasadena Villa Park Farmers Market:
"Cash-only weekly farmer's market offering fruits & vegetables, plus gourmet gifts & goodies."
Weekly: Every Tuesday from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
363 E Villa St, Pasadena, CA 91101
The Montrose Farmers Market:
Weekly: Every Sunday from 8 am - 1 pm
2338-2312 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020
The Pasadena Victory Park Farmers Market:
"Saturday-only open-air market featuring local vendors selling produce, artisanal foods & flowers."
Weekly: Every Saturday from 8 am - 12:30 pm
2925 E Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107
Nothing Bundt Cakes:
"Bakery chain with bundt cakes ranging from bite-sized to tiered, plus platters, candles & cards."
Locations we pick up from:
548 S Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
3628 Rosemead Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770
Let’s Work Together
Feel free to contact us through email at foodchainla@gmail.com if you would like to donate food for pickup or if you would like to receive donations. Thank you!