San Gabriel Valley wins food grant
A $2 million state award will expand a regional network that rescues surplus edible food for local families.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Local families in the San Gabriel Valley will soon have better access to surplus edible food thanks to a new state funding package. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments announced on Monday that it secured a $2 million award to expand its regional food recovery efforts.
Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, a Democrat from West Covina, identified the FRESH SGV program as the recipient of the funds. The program connects local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to redistribute excess food to residents in need. It also assists member agencies in meeting California requirements for organic waste and food recovery.
Marisa Creter, the executive director of SGVCOG, emphasized the gap between food waste and household hunger. She stated that too much food goes to waste while families struggle to put meals on the table. Creter described the investment as a step toward building a resilient and equitable food recovery network.
Rubio noted that food waste and food insecurity are interconnected challenges. She argued that thoughtful planning and regional work can avoid these issues. Rubio said the investment will help communities meet California’s climate goals while ensuring more nutritious food reaches residents who need it most.
The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments is a regional government planning agency. It includes 31 cities, unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County supervisorial districts 1 and 5, and various local and regional public agencies. The program specifically recovers surplus edible food from businesses and directs it to food pantries and nonprofits serving residents experiencing food insecurity.
