Sustainable Economic Enterprises Of Los Angeles

SEE-LA'S MISSION IS TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRESH FOOD ACCESS, PROMOTE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, AND SUPPORT CALIFORNIA SMALL AND MID-SIZE FARMS.

SEE-LA OPERATES THE LARGEST NETWORK OF MISSION-DRIVEN FARMERS' MARKETS IN LOS ANGELES, MARKETS THAT LINK LOS ANGELES COMMUNITIES TO FRESH, NUTRITIOUS REGIONAL PRODUCE. WE PROVIDE A MARKETPLACE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR 300 REGIONAL FAMILY FARMS AND LOCAL FOOD ENTREPRENEURS, INCLUDING THE LARGEST FARMERS' MARKET IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES. SINCE THE 1990S, SEE-LA HAS PRIORITIZED AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC NUTRITION ASSISTANCE BENEFITS USERS AT ITS FARMERS' MARKETS. WE WERE THE FIRST FARMERS' MARKET OPERATOR IN LOS ANGELES TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE BENEFIT AND INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING ACCEPTING FOOD STAMPS.

SEE-LA LAUNCHED ITS POMPEA SMITH GOOD COOKING/BUENA COCINA NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM IN 2002 IN SERVICE TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH A HIGH PREVALENCE OF ADULT AND CHILD OBESITY TO EMPOWER HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. UNIQUELY ROOTED IN SEE-LA'S NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED CERTIFIED FARMERS' MARKETS, THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON GROUP NUTRITION EDUCATION AND EMBODIES A VARIETY OF OTHER BEST PRACTICES TO NOT ONLY EDUCATE BUT TRANSFORM THE AVAILABILITY OF HEALTHY OPTIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. OUR PROGRAM FEATURES HEALTHY, SIMPLE RECIPES THAT ILLUSTRATE THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF KEY NUTRITION MESSAGES FOUNDED IN THE USDA DIETARY GUIDELINES.

AT THE START OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SEE-LA URGENTLY PIVOTED TO FOCUS ON DIRECT FOOD RELIEF, PRIMARILY IN THE SOUTH LA COMMUNITIES WE HAVE SERVED FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS. SEE-LA BULK PURCHASES PRODUCE DIRECTLY FROM THE REGIONAL FAMILY FARMS IN OUR NETWORK TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE BOXES TO FOOD INSECURE FAMILIES. THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE POPULATIONS MADE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE BY THE PANDEMIC.