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.