Athens Helps to Fight College Food Insecurity

Many college students today are food-insecure. Athens has responded by funding food recovery expansion and pop-up pantries at Los Angeles Harbor College.

By Jessica Aldridge
Sustainability Manager

Athens Services is the largest recycling, composting, and waste service company servicing Los Angeles County. Family-owned and operated, Athens has been servicing the area for more than 60 years.

Athens is investing in the security and growth of food recovery and distribution efforts throughout Los Angeles to direct edible food to its highest and intended purpose. They have partnered with organizations such as St. Francis Center, FoodCycle LA, UCLA and others to address food insecurity among the community, including college students.

Athens is proud to announce its support of a new venture between Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, CA and St. Francis Center. St. Francis Center provides hunger relief and comprehensive services for homeless and extremely low­income families and individuals in greater Los Angeles.

Together, they will host ongoing “pop-up” food pantries at the college to service the campus community. Athens recently helped fund their first campus pop-up pantry, which resulted in the distribution of 5,000 pounds of fresh produce and nonperishable pantry goods to 200 students.

As part of their recycLA Food Recovery Infrastructure Grant program, Athens is pledging a total of $25,000 to support necessary infrastructure including refrigeration, transportation, storage, and other support materials. An additional $25,000 will be allocated toward LA Harbor College and St. Francis Center to develop ongoing campus pop-up pantries.

In Los Angeles County, 1.68 million people have limited access to food. This is the largest food insecure population in the Unites States. (L.A. County Department of Public Health) One in eight Americans regularly experience food insecurity, not knowing from where their next meal will come. (Feeding America)

Athens thanks LA Harbor College and St. Francis Center for investing in their community and leading on food recovery efforts. Thank you as well to Councilmember Joe Buscaino and LA Sanitation and Environment. Together, we make a difference. Athens is proud to support your efforts.

Jessica Aldridge oversees Athens’ sustainability and Zero Waste programs