Last month, we were honored to host Brenda Solórzano, Carolyn Wang Kong, and Mynor Alejandro Veliz from The California Endowment (TCE) for a morning walking tour through LA’s Chinatown community!
For over 12 years, APIFM has been rooted in Chinatown — monitoring neighborhood developments, partnering with local organizations, and helping disseminate vital information and resources to residents. Members of our team who lead various Chinatown initiatives, alongside several of our community partners, guided TCE through the neighborhood to share firsthand stories, challenges, and local solutions centered around food access, senior mobility, and youth leadership.
We kicked off at the Chinatown Branch Library to highlight ongoing food access work led by local partners. Young Adult Librarian Lynn Nguyen shared how the Teen Council’s free produce distributions support low-income individuals living in Single Room Occupancy (SRO) buildings, many of whom face barriers to mobility and food access. Naeomi, from APIFM’s Enroll LA team, spoke about our CalFresh enrollment partnership with the library to help enroll income-qualified community members in the CalFresh program.
Along the route, we highlighted other key partners who are leading important work in Chinatown, including Chinatown Service Center (healthcare & social services), Southeast Asian Community Alliance (youth leadership & organizing), and Chinatown Community for Equitable Development (housing/tenant rights & anti-displacement). Kyle, APIFM Co-Director, highlighted major pedestrian safety and air quality issues stemming from Chinatown’s use as a commuting corridor for workers traveling into Downtown LA.
We stopped at the former storefront of Yue Wa Market on Broadway Street to reflect on the fragility of small businesses working to keep fresh produce accessible in the neighborhood. Yue Wa was the first Chinatown participant in the Healthy Market LA (a program of the Los Angeles Food Policy Council). As APIFM’s Food Roots Nourish Manager, Lyna worked with Amy Tran, the store owner, to provide in-language training and business coaching. She also spoke about the closure of Yue Wa at the end of 2025 and, more broadly, the challenges small business owners face in keeping fresh, affordable produce in the neighborhood.
Our tour concluded at Gu Grocery, celebrating a Chinatown business. Owner Jessica Wang treated us to delicious drinks and pastries she made and reflected on her experience growing up in Chinatown and building a local business to give back to the community that raised her. Freddy, who leads APIFM’s Food Roots Harvest team, and Ban Luu from Los Angeles State Historic Park also discussed our collaborative work at the park, including free monthly community produce distributions and Tai Chair classes that promote senior wellness.
We’re grateful for moments like these to walk the neighborhood together and stay rooted in community stories. Huge thanks to TCE, our community partners, and everyone who helped coordinate a wonderful morning of walking and learning together!
