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Foodways LA

CULTIVATING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN EATERS SEEDERS AND FEEDERS

A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT FOR PANDO DAYS 21��KATHLEEN BLAKISTONE • DR. AARON FOX • DR. GABRIEL GRANCO, �ADDIE HASSON • SHUTING CHEN • RYAN LUTZ • LYDIA OLIVER • JESSENIA MARTINEZ • SOFIA REYES, PRISCILLA TORRES • CLEMENT TSING • ERIC VALENCIA • HUNG WONG

CAL POLY POMONA

DECEMBER 2021

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LA Sustainability Plan • Goal 10

A SUSTAINABLE JUST FOOD SYSTEM THAT ENHANCES ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, LOCAL, AND HEALTHY FOOD

BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS HUMAN HEALTH AND RESILIENCE

DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT

ESTABLISH THRIVING ECOSYSTEMS, HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY

ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION BY DISEMPOWERED COMMUNITIES

AND this project supports 2, 3, 5 and 11

The need is fierce – our food system is frayed and needs mending.

1.5 million people in LA County are food insecure – estimated to be one of the largest groups in the nation.

A recent report for the county suggests food insecurity refers to the disruptions in food access and regular eating because of limited money or other resources.

And yes, hunger is often an outcome – but so are other negative outcomes such as poor nutrition, challenges with mental health, cognitive function, sleep and a higher risk for diet related diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (Gunderson & Zilak)

We think we have a better chance of improving food security if we share power with communities seeking change and use data to continuosly learn, adapt, and improve.

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Where we left off…

What is a foodway?

An interrelated SYSTEM of cultural, social and economic PRACTICES encompassing the production and consumption of FOOD.

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Where is the nearest foodway?

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What is a food desert?

Low income census tract with where more than a third of residents don’t have easy access to affordable nutritious food options

Also referred to as food apartheid or a food swamp

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Thiessen Polygon – area of influence

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Thiessen Polygon – area of influence

CalEnviro4: Population

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Land Coverage – Development density

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Walkable resiliency

… time to fill in the gaps

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Equitable Food Oriented Development

Access alone is not enough. We seek to understand the social, environmental and economic conditions impacting low income residents through the use of inclusive and accessible protocols for civic science.

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A closer look

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Inclusive community development

“Food Systems are a great container for health and community development because many low-income communities have a rich heritage in food production.”

EFOD Brown Paper, 2019

Develop community owned and managed research that leads to civic action
Work with Watts Labor Action Committee to uncover foodway responses neighborhood residents want
Conduct a food audit and opportunity mapping for their commercial kitchen

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NEIGHBORHOOD�case study

BUILDS PRACTICE + CONTEXT

Community driven SCIENCE

LEADS TO ACTION