Department of
Health & Human Services

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division has launched the Produce to Market project, which will expand access to healthy, affordable and culturally relevant produce for the community. This program builds on the successes of the Long Beach Healthy Market Partnership program.

“Every Long Beach resident deserves access to fresh, affordable and culturally diverse foods,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “This initiative is about nourishing our communities, strengthening our local economy and fostering connection between community members and their local markets.”

Department staff, along with partners Long Beach Fresh, are conducting visits to store owners in an effort to recruit market participants. In total, the project will support six markets in areas characterized by low income and limited access to nutritious foods in Central, West and/or North Long Beach. Participating stores will receive a minimum of three months of free, culturally relevant produce and a custom designed “Health Shelf” display. The produce will be priced at or below the average cost of similar produce sold at large markets in Long Beach. Interested market owners are also encouraged to email healthyactiveLB@longbeach.gov or call 562.570.4364.

The project is part of a partnership between the Health Department and Long Beach Fresh, a community-based organization focused on connecting Long Beach residents to quality, nutritious, culturally relevant and affordable food. Long Beach Fresh is partnering with multiple local farms and farmers market vendors to implement the program, including Grow 2 Zero, MAYE Center and Harbor Area Farmers Market. The organization also boosts small food businesses, food service institutions and urban farmers by aiding in developing business models, programs, policies and partnerships that prioritize a more sustainable local food system.

“The Produce to Market program will knit together our local farms, corner stores and our community compost sites,” said Long Beach Fresh co-director Ryan Smolar. “By buying from local producers and engaging with residents, we hope to create a new collaboration that makes healthy, cultural and seasonal food affordable and available in West, Central and North Long Beach.”

This program is made possible by the Long Beach Recovery Act, a plan to fund economic and public health initiatives for Long Beach residents, workers and businesses critically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional information about the Long Beach Recovery Act is available at longbeach.gov/recovery.

The Produce to Market Programs aligns with Goal 4 of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative in Long Beach to increase access to fresh foods and vegetables for communities in food deserts, including healthy market partnerships, farmers’ markets, community gardens, and pop-up farm stands.