Food bank celebrates state investment to expand food delivery access 

Wave Staff Report

INDUSTRY — The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and DoorDash were joined Oct. 22 by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon, D-Whittier; and community representatives to celebrate a $3 million state budget allocation to expand food delivery access and address food insecurity across California.

The state Legislature and Gov. Gavin Newsom approved the funding last month to support food delivery operations and direct food purchasing across five regional food banks: the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County, Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, and Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin.

The investment follows advocacy by the California Food Bank Delivery Alliance, a coalition of five food banks that DoorDash helped organize in response to food banks’ reports of barriers preventing community members from accessing nutritious food. The funding will help participating food banks reach people facing transportation, mobility, and other challenges that can put food assistance out of reach.

“For families and individuals with limited or no transportation, getting to a grocery store or food distribution can be a significant barrier to accessing nutritious food,” said Liz Cervantes, senior director of product acquisitions and agency relations at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. “This funding will help us reach more neighbors facing these challenges. We’re grateful for the support and partnerships that are strengthening food access across Los Angeles County and throughout California.”

The gathering at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s city of Industry facility highlighted how state investment, food bank expertise, and private-sector technology and logistics can work together to expand access to food assistance.

“Here in the city of Industry, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank plays a vital role in fighting hunger across Los Angeles County,” Calderon said. “This investment will help bring nutritious food directly to local families and seniors who face transportation and mobility barriers, ensuring more people can access the support they need.”

DoorDash has completed more than two million meal deliveries through Project DASH in California, helping food banks and community organizations deliver food directly to people facing transportation, mobility, and other access barriers. The initiative shows how partnerships among food banks, public agencies, and private-sector logistics providers can extend the reach of existing food assistance programs.

“For seniors, people with disabilities, and working parents, getting to a food bank isn’t always easy. But access to food shouldn’t depend on access to transportation,” said Victor Ruiz-Cornejo, head of California public policy at DoorDash. “California’s investment will help bring food directly to those who need it most. Building on the success of Project DASH, it’s a powerful example of what government, nonprofits, and businesses can accomplish together.”

The $3 million allocation will support food delivery and food purchasing efforts across the five participating regional food banks, helping strengthen their ability to serve communities throughout California.

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been mobilizing resources to fight hunger in Los Angeles County for more than 50 years. To support the Food Bank’s vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, food and grocery products are distributed through a network of partner agencies and other Food Bank programs. 

The Food Bank supports hunger relief, especially through volunteerism, and conducts nutrition education campaigns and advocates for public policies that benefit people served and improve nutrition security. The Food Bank is rated at the highest level by Candid and Charity Navigator, and 96% of all revenue goes to programs.