Support the fair and sustainable production and distribution of food

Agricultural environments and the people who produce food have historically been excluded from many federal protections, from wage laws to the Clean Water Act. Additionally, although many communities and policymakers across the world are working to prevent deforestation and its impact on climate change, the increasingly global and resource-intensive food industry continues to incentivize the clearing of forest land for agricultural production.

LA County has an opportunity to counteract these trends by investing in local food production and value-based food procurement. Local farming, whether in urban gardens or on agricultural lands, creates a more diverse and resilient food supply. Similarly, value-based public food procurement can drive demand for locally and sustainably grown food, reducing local reliance on extractive global supply chains. Yet scaling and expanding these operations can be challenging because of land access and limited infrastructure.

The County is committed to addressing these barriers by updating zoning policies to better support urban agriculture and creating pathways for small growers to distribute and sell local goods, including through food hubs and public procurement. In addition, the County will continue exploring ways to shift its own food purchasing toward more plant-based, lower-emission options to help model a healthier, more sustainable food system.