Project FoodBox: Free Groceries for Families in Need
Long lines of cars at grocery giveaways were common during the pandemic, but food insecurity remains a problem across Los Angeles County. A 2023 study estimates that 30% of county residents do not have enough to eat.
Project FoodBox is working to change that by delivering free produce to SoCal families in need.
The program is part of the CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) initiative. Qualifying recipients must meet the following requirements:
- Medi-Cal member
- Live in Los Angeles County
- Have a qualifying condition (individuals with chronic conditions, individuals discharged from the hospital or a skilled nursing facility or at high risk of hospitalization, individuals with extensive care coordination needs)
The boxes are designed by a team of registered dieticians to ensure they meet the nutritional needs of families served. There are six box options: diabetes, cardiac, renal, cancer/immune support, low sodium, and gluten-free.
What comes in the box?
- 15 to 20 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables
- beans, rice, lentils, nut butters
The boxes are delivered weekly for 12 weeks, with 24 total weeks of eligibility.
Learn more by watching this presentation, which Project Foodbox gave to managers in the Family Strengthening Network on February 12, 2024 — and don’t miss the related resources below.
Resources
- Presentation slides
- Informational flyers (Armenian, Cambodian, Chinese, English, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese)
- ProjectFoodbox.org