Lunch on Me is introducing organic food
and holistic healing,
to people experiencing homelessness, foster youth.
We have partnered with local grocery stores,
we feed people healthy, organic food,
just off of things that are wasted.
Just because we're on Skid Row
doesn't mean that we don't want or need healthy food.
I think what makes Lunch on Me so unique is
it's not about doing one grand gesture,
but small things every single day.
You are a wonderful human being.
I would rather food go on a plate,
than in a trash can.
Food is love, and this was an example of that.
That's a look back at Lunch on Me,
a nonprofit, delivering healthy plant-based meals
to the hungry.
Now founder, LaRayia Gaston, is taking her
food justice movement, a step further!
LaRayia, what's going on now, what's the latest?
Hi, so we've started La Bodega,
which is our organic 99 cent store.
And we opened it in Korea Town in Los Angeles,
and that is our new initiative
is to focus on food justice, and allowing organic food
to be accessible to all.
That is so cool.
Tell us a little bit more about the concept,
and then how you came up with the idea for it.
Well basically, we've been feeding on Skid Row
for four years now
and we distribute 10,000 free meals a month,
and I thought about all the organic food that we give
to the homeless, but you don't ever think about kids,
you don't ever think about foster youth,
where you don't see what they're going home to,
you don't see that one in six Americans live
in a home with an empty fridge.
And I wanted to address hunger in that way,
and create create access,
and more food is being purchased at 99 cent stores,
than at grocery stores.
Because people don't have access.
If someone's on food stamps,
they're living off of $3 a day,
and no one talks about that in America,
and I need to make a solution,
and for me, it was La Bodega,
which is an organic 99 cent store for everyone
to enjoy healthy food.
Well, healthy, affordable food.
Yeah, low income neighborhoods, mostly
they don't even have many grocery stores,
so most people are going to gas stations,
and other types of convenience stores for their food,
and this, I think, is a really approachable concept.
Because you're placing it in locations
where they can actually walk to it,
get to it more with public transportation,
so, how are you getting all of this food
for this lovely price?
I focused on partnerships with corporations.
70% of our food is repurposed, 30% is purchased
and I was able to get different initiatives,
different companies to donate a certain amount
of food a month, so that we can have food for everyone.
Awesome.
I am so impressed with you.
Yeah.
(audience applauding)
So when we hear about today's homeless crisis,
in your opinion, you know what's the first step
to solving it?
Well I feel like the first solution is
to first see people.
Seeing people being open to and receptive
to be loving towards people.
I think that everyone to me is one and the same,
and I think it starts with action,
I think it starts with distributing resources.
I carry granola bars and water bottles in my car,
because I'm intentional about it.
Any time I'm in a position I encounter people,
I make sure I have something to offer, and it's small.
I love that you brought that up,
and I want everyone at home to think about that,
because you most likely everyone will drive up
to a street corner today, and there will be someone there
who's maybe in need, and a water bottle, a granola bar.
Yes.
You know, this concept of providing food
for people in need, it's just such a profound concept.
I have to ask before I let you go,
what is the most popular thing at La Bodega?
What is the go to when people come in?
So the cool thing is, well two things,
we have vegan chili served on tater tots,
that's just kind of amazing, that everyone loves,
because it's like this comfort food.
You can't say that without bringing some!
I know, it's so good!
No, but I would say also our mermaid,
our desert mermaid super food drink,
where I use sea moss, and spirulina, and hemp milk,
and vanilla, it's, oh there you go!
It's probably our most popular drink,
and I love it because it's got trace minerals
so it's giving everyone what they need.
Looks delicious.
Well LaRayia, you were so right on,
we've gotta do more, part of it is dealing
with mental health issues.
Yes.
But I think starting where you suggest,
just treating these people like human beings,
giving them the respect that they deserve.
And making America love again!
Oh yeah, that's our slogan!
I would just say keep up the great work,
I am so impressed by you, and your initiatives,
and you keep coming up with great new concepts,
and certainly at home, if you're motivated by this,
and interested in donating or volunteering
with LaRayia to help fight hunger,
go to thedoctorstv.com, we'll have more info there.
Thank you again, so very much.
We'll be right back.
