The American Heart Association and Dignity Health Northridge wrapped a four-year free produce program after distributing 573,000 pounds of fresh food to more than 18,000 Valley residents.
More than half a million pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables have been distributed free of charge to Northridge and San Fernando Valley families over the last four years. The monthly produce distribution program, run by the with support from , concluded after its final event in May 2026.
The program launched in July 2021 to address food insecurity that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as an effort to serve 150 families per month grew into a monthly operation supporting 400 families.
"We started with the goal of serving 150 families at each event and the program quickly expanded to support 400 families monthly. We're proud to have served more than 18,000 individuals and their families over the last four years," said Jeremy Zoch, president of Dignity Health's Northridge Hospital Medical Center.
According to the American Heart Association press release, the program delivered:
During holiday periods including Thanksgiving and December, the distribution expanded beyond produce to include essential staples such as turkeys, hams, Cornish game hens, and pumpkins.
The bulk of the labor came from Dignity Health Northridge staff who volunteered their time to sort, pack, and distribute the food. Hospital employees worked monthly events to ensure families received fresh, nutritious produce at no cost.
"This program exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing community health challenges and making a lasting, positive impact," Zoch said.
The produce distribution was part of Dignity Health's sponsorship of the American Heart Association's Live Fierce Reduce. Your Risk. campaign. The campaign aims to bring lifesaving heart and brain health information and resources to the community.
Dignity Health Northridge also recently awarded over $260,000 in community health grants to seven local nonprofits, including Harbor Care Foundation, Haven Hills, Kids Community Dental Clinic, and Safe Parking Los Angeles, according to a separate announcement from the hospital.
The American Heart Association did not specify whether a successor program will replace the monthly distributions. The organization directed media inquiries to Kristine Kelly at kristine.kelly@heart.org.
For the families who relied on the monthly produce drops, the end of the program marks a loss of a consistent source of free, fresh food in a region where food insecurity remains a persistent challenge.
"Our Community Health Grant Program is a powerful testament to our 70-year legacy as a cornerstone of this community," Zoch said in a separate statement about the hospital's broader community giving.
The San Fernando Valley continues to grapple with housing costs, wage gaps, and limited access to affordable nutritious food. Programs like the Northridge produce distribution filled a gap for thousands of residents over four years.
This article was generated with AI assistance.