Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
Food Waste and Food Insecurity
Learning and Volunteer Opportunities
At this time, Food Forward’s community volunteer events are limited, but there are countless ways to join the work to fight food waste and food insecurity. Below is a list of additional opportunities to learn about, volunteer with, and support our shared community in accessing fresh food and other resources.
Last Update: January 2024
Other organizations with volunteer opportunities
Food Forward sometimes has more volunteers than available volunteer opportunities. Below are some of our partner hunger relief agencies that are currently accepting volunteers!
- Activity: Every Wednesday, FEAST packages a week’s worth of fruits and veggies for 75 families living all over Los Angeles. We are looking for volunteers to help with sorting and packaging groceries each week.
- Where: Mercado la Paloma Community Room – 3655 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- When: Every Wednesday, from 9–11 a.m. and 3–4:30 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Sign up to volunteer on our Signup Genius or reach out to the team at [email protected]. We love big groups!
- Activity: Produce Distribution
- Where: Various locations in LA County (Barnes Park, Sierra Vista Park, LASHP (Chinatown), Thai CDC)
- When: Once a month
- How to Get More Info: Please reach out to [email protected] for volunteer event logistics
- Activity: Help sort and distribute fresh produce to over 150 families, come to volunteer and stay for the fun!
- Where: 1763 Blake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
- When: Every 2nd & 4th Friday of the month, from 12–4 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Email [email protected] , fill out a Volunteer Sign-Up Form or follow @NELAMERCADITO on Instagram
- Activity: Bagging produce
- Where and When: Tuesdays at Various West Hollywood Sites from 9 a.m.–3p.m.; Wednesdays at Various LGTB Center Sites (Hollywood) from 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at Echo Park Community Compost Hub at 5 p.m.; Thursdays at St. Barnabas in Eagle Rock from 8:30 a.m.–11 a.m. and Fridays in Echo Park from 7:30 a.m.–11a.m.; Fridays at Various LGBT Center Sites from 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
- How To Get More Info: Sign up or email Steven at [email protected] or Danny at [email protected]
- Activity: Huge variety of activities at various sites around Long Beach
- When: Every day of the week (though Sundays are the biggest need!)
- How to Get More Info: Sign up
- Activity: Bagging produce, unloading and sorting through donations, making pre-packed shelf stable bags, “running” bags to clients, checking-in clients, helping where needed.
- Where: 444 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91104
- When: Weekly Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and afternoons. Times vary depending on our current needs.
- How to Get More Info: Email [email protected] or rionwfriendsindeedpas.org
Acción Comunitaria
- Qué: Distribuir frutas y vegetales
- Dónde y cuándo: Miércoles 2–5 p.m. en Cypress Park, Sábado 9 a.m.–12 p.m. en Glassell Park
- Para más información: Manda un correo electrónico a [email protected] o por Instagram @accion.comunitaria.90065
- Se habla español
Catholic Charities Moorpark Pantry Plus
- Activity: Office & warehouse duties (bagging produce, stocking, sorting, etc.)
- Where: 612 Spring Rd Suite 101, Moorpark, CA 93021
- When: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Email Cinthia at [email protected]
- Activity: Preparing and distributing Food Kits filled with healthy produce to the community; assisting with intake of clients receiving food
- When: Tuesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Contact [email protected]
- Activity: Bagging food items
- Where: 204 Hampton Drive, Venice, CA 90291
- When: Monday 10–11:50 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday 12–2:50 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Email [email protected] or call 310-396-6468 x332
Iglesias el Nuevo Nacimiento
- Qué: Preparando cajas de comida
- Dónde: 1600 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
- Cuándo: Semanalmente los martes y jueves 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Para más información: Manda un correo electrónico a [email protected] o llama a 323-252-2625
- Se habla español
- Activity: Bagging produce
- Where: 15453 Rayen St, North Hills, CA 91343
- When: Fridays from 9–11:30 a.m.
- How to Get More Info: Visit their website or call office: 818-891-0481 x1023
Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center
- Activity: Bagging and giving out produce
- Where: Northridge Hospital Medical Center
- When: Fourth Thursday of each month; 1–5 p.m. (flexible shifts)
- How to Get More Info: Email [email protected]
- Activity: Sorting and weighing food, loading and unloading vehicles, interacting with recipients and donors, repackaging and storing items. Must be able to stand for a long time, lift 50 lbs. or more, and take direction. Training will be provided.
- Where: 1223 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (entrance on La Mirada)
- When: 2 shifts: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2 p.m.– 4:30 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: [email protected]
- Activity: Setting up and distributing food
- Where: Montebello-Commerce YMCA, 2000 W. Beverly Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640
- When: Each Thursday morning from 6 a.m.–9 a.m. (set up first hour, distribution 7– 8:30 a.m., breakdown until 9 a.m.)
- How to Get More Info: Volunteer project catalog
Watts Labor Community Action Committee
- Activity: MudTown Farms Free Produce Giveaway at Watts Labor Community Action Committee
- Where: 10950 S Central Ave, Los Angeles 90059
- When: Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 9 a.m. –12 p.m.
- How to Get More Info: Sign up on L.A. Works Page
Watts Labor Community Action Committee
- Activity: MudTown Farms Community Work Days / Días de Trabajo Comunitario
- Where: 2001 E 103rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90002
- When: Every Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m – 11:30 a.m.
- How to Get More Info: Sign up on L.A. Works Page
- Activity: Packing food bags for distribution
- Where: St. Mary’s Church – 944 S. Normandie, Los Angeles, CA 90006
- When: Wednesdays – arrive between 8:30am and 10:00am, work goes on until 1:00pm or 2:00pm (you can work any window within those times)
- How to Get More Info: email [email protected]
- Activity: Driving food bags to clients’ households
- Where: Pick up food bags at Hunger Action LA at St. Mary’s Church, 944 S. Normandie, Los Angeles, CA 90006 – Delivery across the Los Angeles region (You would drop off to 4 or 5 houses/apartments)
- When: Wednesdays – arrive between 12:15pm and 2:00pm
- How to Get More Info: email [email protected]
- Activity: Assisting with Hunger Action LA programs at farmers markets
- Where: Adams Vermont Farmers Market, East LA Farmers Market, West Covina Farmers Market, and possibly others
- When: Days and times vary (email for more info)
- How to Get More Info: email [email protected]
Creative ways to donate your time
- If you’re able, check on your elderly or immunocompromised neighbors. Volunteer to shop for them, or help order them food.
- Ask your local grocery store(s) what they do with food they can’t sell. Play matchmaker with a local hunger relief agency. If you have a car, volunteer to transport the food.
Learn about food waste and food insecurity
- Read about local, state, and national initiatives or legislation influencing food waste and insecurity. See here for national legislation, or try a Google search for your area.
- Civil Eats’ Food and Farming Book Picks for Summer 2022
- Ways to prevent food waste and help the environment
Give money, food, or supplies
- Donate money to reduce food waste and fight food insecurity at Food Forward.
- If you have a fruit tree, donate your excess fruit to Food Forward by registering your tree(s) here. You can also simply pick the fruit and put it outside for passersby to enjoy!
- Share or add what you can give to a mutual aid group:
- List of local mutual aid groups on LA Forward
- Mutual Aid Network Los Angeles
- Donate food to local food banks, such as LA Regional Food Bank. See a list of food banks in LA here and Ventura here.
- Donate food to your local community fridge
- Post on neighborhood groups to ask what your neighbors need most.
- E.g.: NextDoor, Facebook groups, etc.
- Turn the Little Free Library by your house into a Little Free Pantry.
- Shop at your local farmers market and follow them on social media for updates.
- Buy produce from farms via local CSA websites or other farm produce websites.
Find food for yourself or someone else
- Are you or someone you know looking for free produce? Check out this page.
- Find a food pantry in Los Angeles County here or here, or in Ventura County here.
- Check out hospitality industry resources here, food industry resources here, and restaurant worker resources here.
- Check these meal pick-up and delivery options for seniors or homebound folks:
- Pick-up: Saint Barnabas
If you have recommendations, please contact us at [email protected]