Food Distribution Program

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

County Spending Category
2.7 Food Resources
Federal Expenditure Category
Household Assistance: Food Programs
Project Launch Date
05/18/2022
Anticipated End Date
07/17/2024
Interpretation Languages
  • Spanish
Written Languages
  • Cambodian (Khmer)
  • Spanish

Project Contacts

Indicators & Metrics to Date

  • Number of Households Served
    67993
  • Pounds of food distributed
    2897686
  • Number of food distribution events held
    137
  • Portion of event participants known to be at high risk of food insecurity based on zip code
    0.68

Target Populations

  • People at risk of food insecurity

Project Description

Multiple local and national studies have found that food insecurity spiked at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that food assistance programs helped to address this issue during 2020-21. (See https://publicexchange.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Enough-to-Eat.pdf.) In 2022, food insecurity rose again due to various factors including the termination of some emergency food assistance programs and inflation (see https://publicexchange.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/USC-Food-Insecurity-in-LA-County_ResearchBrief_Feb2023.pdf.) Renewing food assistance programs in 2023 will therefore be necessary in order to bring food insecurity rates back down. To combat food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) developed a food distribution program that enables board offices to host free food distribution events targeting low-income people at high risk of food insecurity. These events provide free food to attendees and are designed to partially alleviate some of the burden associated with loss of income and rising food costs, among other pandemic-related factors.  This project will address the impact of food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by providing free food to people in communities who have been, and continue to be, disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 panedmic, and as a result directly addresses the increase in food insecurity seen in Los Angeles County.  Using ARP funds, CSO will partner with the LA Regional Food Bank to provide food distribution events. The funds will cover the cost of food, staffing expenses, and related program activities associated with these events. CSO plans to host approximately one event per week (rotating through the Board districts such that each Board office hosts an event approximately once per month) to ensure all of Los Angeles County can benefit. 

Goals & Objectives

Goal Description By October 2024, provide food to at least 50,000 households (not unique) in an effort to improve food security.

Objective Description The overall objective of this project is to distribute at least 2 million pounds of food at food distribution events targeting low-income households and disproportionately impacted communities throughout each of the five supervisorial districts between May 2022 and October of 2024 (a minimum of 70 events total).

Activity Description Partner with the LA Regional Food Bank to hold a minimum of 70 free food distribution events with the goal of one event a week through October 2024.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
11 Service Delivery Number of food distribution events held 70.00

Activity Description Maximize attendance and pounds of food distributed by supporting the Board offices in promoting the food distribution events to populations and communities with high need; provide tailored event flyers, event location suggestions, and reminders to request DPSS text message promotion.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
10 Performance Pounds of food distributed 1000000.00

Outcome Description Households whose home zip code indicates a high risk of food insecurity will receive free food at our food distribution events to support their food security.
Indicators
# Type Name Baseline Target
12 Program Outcome Portion of event participants known to be at high risk of food insecurity based on zip code 0.70