Community Nourishment Programs

The COMMUNITY NOURISHMENT PROGRAMS (CNP) include a Food Bank, Food Pantry, Buen Provecho Farmer’s Market, and Little Health Market, that offer weekly, choice-driven access to fresh produce and culturally relevant pantry staples to approximately 32,000 unduplicated people (260,000 encounters of service) a year. CNP goes beyond food security to change ongoing nutrition security outcomes for vulnerable people. By ensuring that 70% of the food is fresh—fruits, vegetables, dairy, proteins—we offer nutrition security, defined as consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being.

This year, CNP plans to achieve the following:

· Distribute 3.6MM lbs. through 10 monthly community food distributions, four dedicated to people who are homeless, twice monthly distributions curated to older adults and approximately 100 personalized distributions through our Little Health Market (for people with chronic diet-related disease). Future distribution plans include a mobile food truck visiting additional communities in need.

· Partner with & distribute food to 30+ small community- and faith-based organizations thus extending our impact into other low-income LA neighborhoods.

· Expand avenues to food security for the target population by providing resources to families on other assistance programs including CalFresh (SNAP), WIC, Summer EBT, etc.

2.8 Million

Healthy Meals

3.6 MILLION

Pounds of food

291,104

People Benefited

Join us for the upcoming Buen Provecho Farmers Market!

Emergency Food Pantry

Direct distribution of food to everyone in need.

Tuesdays & Fridays, every 1st Saturday of the month.

Frequency: Weekly, based on need.

Target Population

Individuals and families who are homeless, in transitional housing, at-risk of homelessness.

Food Bank

Distribution to satellite faith- and community-based food pantries across Los Angeles.

Service Days: Tuesdays - Fridays and every 1st Saturday of the month.

Target Population

Community & faith-based food pantries serving vulnerable and low-income people throughout the Valley.

To become a partner, contact Marcella at Marcella@mendpoverty.org.

Buen Provecho

Access to fresh fruits and vegetables through a “farmers market” model. The goal is to offer individuals and families more choices.

Frequency: Once a month.

Target Population

Individuals and families who are homeless, in transitional housing, at-risk of homelessness or financially vulnerable.

Little Health Market

Managed under Here We Thrive, the Little Health Market provides food options for those enrolled in Pathways to Wellness to encourage consumption of healthy grains, nuts, oils, and low sodium foods.

Eligibility through Pathways to Wellness.

MEND STORIES

Karla

Karla and her young family are one of many San Fernando Valley families that have relied on MEND for food assistance in the last year. She never has to worry about keeping her family fed thanks to the fresh produce and essentials that she receives from the food bank.

The stress of paying rent and utilities remains a constant, and sometimes keeps Karla up at night, which makes her thankful not to worry about food. She shares, “I have no idea what I would have done if MEND did not exist. I am so grateful for MEND and the people who support MEND.”