Sharing the Bounty: A Neighborhood Food Exchange Thrives in Northeast LA

In the heart of Northeast Los Angeles, a group of residents has found a unique way to combat food waste and foster a sense of community. Once a month, they gather at someone's home to participate in a free food exchange, where they share homegrown and homemade goods, from fresh produce to baked treats and beyond. This grassroots initiative, known as the Hillside Produce Cooperative, has been quietly transforming the way this community accesses and appreciates food for over a decade.

Cultivating a Culture of Sharing and Sustainability

Addressing Food Waste and Accessibility

Hynden Walch, the founder of the Hillside Produce Cooperative, was inspired to create this exchange after witnessing the abundance of fruit going to waste on the streets of Northeast LA. "As much as you might like lemons, no one can use 50 pounds of them by themselves," Walch explains. Driven by a desire to reduce food waste and provide access to fresh, healthy foods, Walch established the cooperative in 2008, offering a platform for residents to share their homegrown and homemade goods.

Evolving with the Times

The cooperative's model has adapted over the years to meet the changing needs of the community. Initially, Walch would collect the donated produce at her home, divide it into equal portions, and then deliver the bags to members' doorsteps. As the program grew, this process became unwieldy, leading to the current "drop and swap" format. Now, participants bring their contributions to a designated location, where they can browse the offerings and take what they need, all within a 20-minute window.

Fostering a Sense of Community

The Hillside Produce Cooperative has become more than just a food exchange; it's a hub of community connection. April Sakai, the current manager, has witnessed the cooperative's ability to bring people together, even across time and distance. "I ran into somebody who recognized me from the co-op on the street the other day. And it's like, 'I've been to your house.' I'm like, 'Excuse me?' 'Yes, the Hillside Produce Cooperative. I have such happy memories of doing that with my son, and we'd come to your house and we'd get the food and it smelled so good and I just have such great memories of that,'" Walch recounts.

Adapting to Changing Needs

The cooperative's membership has ebbed and flowed over the years, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a catalyst for growth. "Membership increased during the pandemic when food scarcity in grocery stores was an issue and people were home and growing more food," Sakai explains. This surge in participation highlights the cooperative's ability to adapt and respond to the evolving needs of the community.

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

One of the defining features of the Hillside Produce Cooperative is its inclusive nature. Walch emphasizes that growing produce is not a prerequisite for participation, and the exchange welcomes a wide range of contributions, from baked goods and homemade wine to almond milk and nut butter. "It's great to take things home and be able to just receive the bounty, but they don't want to be like freeloaders or not [participate] with the sharing and with the community," Sakai says. "So they will think of ways to contribute that you're like, 'Wow, that's really out of the box.'"

Transcending Financial Barriers

The cooperative's commitment to accessibility extends beyond just food; it also aims to create a space where financial status is irrelevant. "With the co-op, it does not matter how much money you have or don't have," Walch explains. "You can glean fruit from trees on city land if you want to or need to. It's a nice place where you can be beyond that — the contents of your checkbook."

Fostering a Sense of Wonder and Exploration

The Hillside Produce Cooperative not only provides a platform for sharing food but also encourages culinary exploration and discovery. Walch has been amazed by the diverse array of produce and products that members bring to the exchange, including exotic fruits and ingredients that challenge participants to expand their culinary horizons. "Our membership grows some exotic stuff," Walch says. "I've tried some amazing things like I've never seen before, and it was so fun to get your cooking skills out and go, 'Ok, how do I use this dragon fruit?'"The Hillside Produce Cooperative stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives to address pressing issues, foster connections, and cultivate a more sustainable and equitable food system. By creating a space where neighbors can freely share their bounty, this grassroots exchange has become a beacon of hope and a model for other communities seeking to redefine their relationship with food.