For over 20 years, the food justice programs at the Urban & Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) at Occidental College have used research, evaluation, education, advocacy, and organizing to build a just and equitable food system grounded in community knowledge and leadership.
The food justice programs at UEPI are rooted in the neighborhoods surrounding Occidental College in Northeast Los Angeles and extend throughout Los Angeles County.

The Issues
Rising housing prices, climate change, and increasing inequality in cities has undermined the ability of low-income communities of color to survive and thrive, leaving many communities and families without access to healthy affordable food. In the neighborhoods adjacent to Occidental College in Northeast Los Angeles, an influx of new investment, development, amenities, and infrastructure improvements has resulted in rapid and dramatic change in the form of gentrification and displacement. This trend extends throughout Los Angeles County; as housing prices escalate, income-strapped households must make choices between housing and food. In order to thrive, neighborhoods of all income levels need food systems and that meet their needs and promote community resiliency to withstand and thrive amid changing neighborhood, public health, and economic conditions.
OUR IMPACT
2016-2020
Rooted in North East LA
674
nutrition lessons taught in classrooms
423
parent nutrition education, physical activity, and garden workshops held
52
teachers trained in food & nutrition curriculum
Building Networks
Across LA County
185
Farm to School & Garden Working Group members
45
Farmer's Markets supported through technical marketing assistance
72
college interns engaged in community work
OUR PARTNERS








