NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Hands-on cooking and nutrition classes, and guided farmers' market tours, across Los Angeles County.

For over a decade, we've built nutrition education around what our communities tell us they need.

Every class and tour is hands-on, taught in the places people already gather, and grounded in seasonal produce from the farmers who grow it, making healthy eating feel practical, familiar, and within reach.

Request a class or tour

JOIN US

WHAT WE DO

Two ways to bring nutrition education to your community: book a class at your site, or bring a group to one of our farmers' markets.

Nutrition classes

In-person nutrition education and cooking classes for youth ages 7 and up, adults, and youth with their caregivers, offered on a sliding fee scale.

Every class includes an educational component, and may add an activity, a recipe demonstration, a hands-on cooking lesson, or all three.

Request a class

Seasonal produce, start to finish

Seasonal, regionally grown fruits and vegetables—their nutritional benefits, tips for buying and preparing them, and group culinary skill-building.

Everyday nutrition

Interactive lessons that build knowledge of food and nutrition and support healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.

Food, self, and community

Facilitated participant-led conversations and interactive activities using trauma-informed approaches to build healthy connections to food, self, and community.

Farmers’ market tours

Guided, in-person tours at Food Access LA farmers' markets that connect community members and student groups to local farmers — and to where their food comes from.

Staff-led additions that deepen the farm-to-community connection:

  • Produce sampling: Up to four varieties of seasonal produce.

  • Recipe demonstration: A seasonal recipe featuring locally grown produce, with a taste test and a take-home recipe card.

  • Nutrition class: A class on seasonal, locally grown produce varieties, peak season, and their nutrition benefits.

  • Produce print-making: An art-based activity using fruits and vegetables from the market.

Request a tour

Seasonal produce, start to finish

Seasonal, regionally grown fruits and vegetables—their nutritional benefits, tips for buying and preparing them, and group culinary skill-building.

Everyday nutrition

Interactive lessons that build knowledge of food and nutrition and support healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.

Food, self, and community

JOIN US

GET INVOLVED

Join a free class at one of our markets, bring a program to your school or clinic, or get a monthly heads-up on what's coming.

Pick whichever fits.

Request a class/tour

Schools, businesses, clinics, and community organizations can book a class series or a market tour.

Request a class/tour

Schools, businesses, clinics, and community organizations can book a class series or a market tour.

Get monthly reminders

One email a month with what's coming up and where to find us.

See the class calendar

Dates, times, and locations for every upcoming class and event.

  • “I've learned to make more nutritious foods and found out that it actually tastes good.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I learned to cook healthier and to be better. [The classes] help me to be better physically and to share recipes with my son.”

    Central Avenue Farmers Market Participant

  • “I've made many changes in my daily life because of what I’ve learned thanks to the wonderful staff who motivate me to live healthier [...] progress like never before and many of my friends have even made comments about my “Healthier” appearance.”

    Raphael Santillan, Central Avenue Farmers Market

  • "The program was amazing; I learned that eating healthy is a lifestyle I should make. I am thankful for everything. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.”

    Cindy Ortiz, Parent Center

  • “Nutrition classes helped me to make right choices in regards to shopping more veggies and fruits than meats and dairy products.

    Narina Kazarian, Parent Center

  • “There was a reason I kept coming back week after week. I want to thank you for teaching me how to read the labels because now when I go to the store I know how to tell what’s good for me and what isn’t."

    Darryl Turner, MLK Campus Farmers Market

  • "I never liked green beans or red peppers [but after learning about stir fry] I had to convert! It’s helpful to have different things to cook that are not only healthy but also very good. I’m very happy that I was introduced to something new by coming to your class.”

    Andres Lara, Watts Willowbrook Farmers Market

  • “I’ve been living in tents for so long that I had forgotten what cooking and preparing real food was like. It’s taking me back to my childhood and my grandma cooking for me”

    Adult Participant, Nutrition Education/Culinary Class, Little Tokyo Service Center