Ever wonder if your neighbors have enough to eat?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our founder Natalie Flores heard from moms all over L.A. that their families were on the brink of going hungry. At the same time, she knew that tons of edible food goes into L.A. landfills. The gap between need and excess didn’t make sense, so Natalie made it her goal to connect hungry neighbors with extra food from local organizations, gardens, farms, restaurants, and supermarkets. As a passionate gardener, community advocate, and non-profit veteran, Natalie was in the perfect position to bridge the gap and Nourish LA was born.
| Today, Natalie and her team of volunteers feed over 1,000 people every weekend. Any leftover food or green waste is composted so it doesn’t end up in the landfill. Aside from distributing food, Nourish LA also hosts occasional community events including seedling giveaways, community gardening, and clothing drives. At Nourish LA, we stand by our neighbors, our community, and the environment. We know that nourishment is both food and connection, so we’re here to spread the love one bag of groceries at a time.
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In 2023, we recovered and distributed 1,007,574 pounds of food to 46,110 angelenos in need. |
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FOOD AT OUR DISTRIBUTIONS GRACIOUSLY PROVIDED BY OUR FOOD RECOVERY PARTNERS:
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AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS FROM OUR PARTNERS IN LOS ANGELES:
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OUR SPONSORS:
Our Staff
| Natalie Flores-BlacknerFounder and CEONatalie Flores Blackner is a mom, wife and passionate advocate for community empowerment and sustainable food systems. With a background in community engagement and urban farming, Natalie has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between people and their food sources. As a former Community Engagement Coordinator, she worked tirelessly to foster connections within diverse communities, empowering individuals to take an active role in shaping their local food landscape. |
Driven by her commitment to addressing food insecurity and environmental sustainability, Natalie founded NourishLA, a groundbreaking nonprofit organization. Under her leadership, Nourish LA has become a driving force in the fight against food waste while simultaneously promoting community well-being. Through innovative urban farming initiatives and educational outreach programs, Natalie and her team work tirelessly to promote access to fresh, healthy food and to cultivate vibrant, inclusive community spaces.
With her dynamic leadership and unwavering dedication, Natalie continues to inspire positive change, transforming neighborhoods and lives one seed at a time.
Jess CastilloOperations Manager
"As a single, solo mom, I understand firsthand the daily challenges of providing healthy, affordable food for my family. I'm passionate about ensuring that all families, regardless of their circumstances, have access to nutritious meals. I'm inspired by our mission to help people in my community who are struggling with food insecurity and to empower them to make healthy food choices. In my role as Operations Manager, I'm responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective operations of Nourish LA's food distribution. Outside of work, I'm a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a sport that teaches me discipline, perseverance, and the importance of community. I also have a deep love for all animals and enjoy spending time volunteering at local shelters. I'm excited to continue contributing to Nourish LA's mission and working towards a future where everyone has access to the nutritious food they deserve." | Felix ThomasOperations Intern
Felix is a college student at Santa Monica College, deeply committed to addressing food insecurity in his new home, Los Angeles. Growing up in an underserved community in Mexico, he experienced food insecurity firsthand, which fueled his passion for helping the community. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he discovered Nourish LA and recognized it as an ideal way to make a meaningful impact. After volunteering there, he was hired as the operations and special projects manager. Felix loves engaging with his community, running, and spending time with his family and friends. |
Jessica balsamDistribution Site Coordinator
A lifelong southern Californian with a deep love for the community, Jessica first discovered Nourish LA during the pandemic and was immediately inspired by our work. Since she began volunteering in 2023, her passion and hard work has been undeniable. Her dedication to the mission quickly grew, and she became an essential part of our team. Now, Jessica is excited to bring her positive energy and commitment to the Distribution Site Coordinator role. Outside of Nourish LA, you can find her hiking, volunteering with animal rescues, organizing fundraisers, or spending time with her family, friends, and her cat, Wolfgang the Wise. | Brooke RamosVolunteer Coordinator
"Brooke is a dedicated advocate for social and environmental causes, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience to her work. Her diverse background, from managing organic farms, running small businesses, to working alongside honey bees, has given her valuable insight into how sustainability and community empowerment go hand in hand. Brooke’s role as Volunteer Coordinator is deeply shaped by her personal experience growing up within a food insecure community, and is driven by her belief that collective care is the first step toward creating meaningful systemic change." |
