Los Angeles County supervisors advanced a motion Tuesday to strengthen the Office of Food Systems, a county hub working to ensure equitable food access and public health resilience.
The motion by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Janice Hahn comes as the county confronts rising food insecurity from an ongoing federal shutdown, cuts to nutrition programs and impacts of natural disasters. More than 1.5 million county residents are currently without CalFresh benefits.
"In a time of growing need and uncertainty, we must deliver stability, partnership and real progress for the people we serve through our food systems," Horvath said.
The Office of Food Systems, originally established as the Office of Food Equity, grew from the county's Food Equity Roundtable created in 2021. It operates as a public-private partnership between Los Angeles County and Community Partners, supported by the Annenberg Foundation, Weingart Foundation and California Community Foundation.
Since beginning operations in January 2025, the office has led coordinated food responses across county agencies and strengthened partnerships advancing equitable and resilient food systems.
The motion would establish formal collaboration between the office and all county departments, each designating a Food Systems Liaison. It requires an interim progress report by June 16, 2026, and a final strategic plan by Oct. 20, 2026.
Los Angeles County has funded a $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to expand food purchasing capacity for November and set up additional pop-up sites and drive-through pantry locations.
Anyone experiencing food insecurity can visit https://www.lafoodbank.org/find-food/pantry-locator/.
Edited by SMDP Staff