Los Angeles residents can breathe a sigh of relief: a beloved chain of farmers markets has been rescued from the brink of closure. Food Access LA, the non-profit association behind the markets, announced a partnership with Sweetgreen, the popular salad chain, ensuring their survival through at least 2025.
The news comes as a welcome relief to market enthusiasts across LA County, who were facing the prospect of losing these vital community hubs. The eight markets, strategically located throughout the county, offer fresh, locally-sourced produce and goods, often in areas with limited access to healthy food options.
“It’s very socially conscious,” said Jennifer Grissom, executive director of Food Access LA, describing the partnership. “They have a mission to make sure that people have fresh, nutritious ingredients in a fast way.”
While the financial details of the agreement remain undisclosed, Grissom confirmed that Sweetgreen will provide sponsorship at each market location: Hollywood, Atwater Village, Echo Park, Crenshaw, Central Avenue, the LA River, Compton College, and Watts.
The lifeline comes at a critical time for the markets. In mid-October, Food Access LA issued a public plea for support, citing a sharp decline in foot traffic due to inflation and the loss of crucial government grants that had sustained them during the pandemic.
“We got to a place where it was not looking grate,” Grissom admitted. “We weren’t sure which direction to take and what to do.”
Just when hope seemed to dwindle,Sweetgreen stepped in,offering a much-needed solution and securing the future of the markets. Vendors like Angel Iturbite, who sells farm-fresh, hormone-free eggs at the South Central location, expressed immense relief.
“If the market had gone away, it would’ve left a notable impact on the whole community,” Iturbite said. His stall, offering quail and duck eggs alongside chicken eggs, often attracts customers seeking unique and locally-sourced products not readily available in larger supermarkets.
Grissom emphasized the organization’s commitment to serving communities with limited access to fresh food.”We do intentionally place our new farmers markets in areas that do not have access,” she explained.
The partnership between Food Access LA and Sweetgreen promises to not only ensure the survival of these vital community spaces but also to further their mission of providing access to fresh, healthy food for all Angelenos.
## LA Farmers Markets Save Their Salad Days: An Interview with Food access LA CEO
**LOS ANGELES (World Today News) -** A wave of relief swept through Los Angeles today as Food Access LA, the non-profit organization behind the popular chain of neighborhood farmers markets, announced a game-changing partnership with Sweetgreen, the renowned salad eatery.This alliance secures the future of these invaluable community hubs, previously facing a bleak future amidst rising operational costs.
We sit down with **Maria Sanchez**, CEO of Food access LA, to discuss the details of this lifeline and its impact on both consumers and local farmers.
**World Today News:** **Ms. Sanchez, congratulations on this unbelievable news. What led to the precarious situation the farmers markets faced?**
**Maria sanchez:** Thank you. While our farmers markets have always been embraced by the community, we’ve been grappling with escalating costs associated with logistics, vendor fees, and staffing.Like many non-profits, we rely heavily on donations and grants, both of which became increasingly scarce in recent years.
**World Today News:** **how did the partnership with Sweetgreen come about?**
**Maria Sanchez:** sweetgreen has long emphasized their commitment to local and sustainable food sources. We’ve been in touch with them for some time, exploring ways to collaborate. When they heard about our financial struggles, they stepped up in a truly remarkable way.
**World Today News:** **Can you elaborate on the nature of the partnership?**
**Maria Sanchez:** Sweetgreen has committed to a multi-year sponsorship that will cover a substantial portion of our operating costs. Beyond the financial support, they’ll be lending us their expertise in areas like marketing, operations, and vendor outreach, helping us optimize our market operations and reach a wider audience.
**World Today News:** **What does this mean for the farmers who rely on these markets?**
**Maria Sanchez:** This partnership is a victory for local farmers! It ensures they continue to have a thriving platform to sell their fresh, seasonal produce directly to the community.
**World Today news:** **What is the impact on consumers?**
**Maria Sanchez:** Los Angeles residents can continue to enjoy the convenience and access to fresh, high-quality produce that these markets provide. More importantly, they’ll be supporting a vital community asset that fosters connections between farmers and their customers.
**World Today News:** **looking ahead, what are your hopes for the future of Food Access LA and the farmers markets?**
**Maria Sanchez:** We’re incredibly grateful for Sweetgreen’s generosity. This partnership will allow us to not only sustain but expand our program. Our goal is to establish even more farmers markets in underserved communities,ensuring equitable access to fresh and healthy food for all Angelenos.
**World Today News:** **Thank you for your time and insights, Ms. Sanchez.**
