Listen Live
Donate
 on air
Schedule

KCRW

Read & Explore

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Culture
  • Events

Listen

  • Live Radio
  • Music
  • Podcasts
  • Full Schedule

Information

  • About
  • Careers
  • Help / FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Contact

Support

  • Become a Member
  • Become a VIP
  • Ways to Give
  • Shop
  • Member Perks

Become a Member

Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

DonateGive Monthly

Copyright 2025 KCRW. All rights reserved.

Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
Cookie Policy
|FCC Public Files

Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

South L.A.'s Food Desert Persists

Los Angeles is a place of stark contrasts, even when it comes to access to quality food. While residents in affluent parts of the region complain about congestion at their Whole Foods parking lot, residents of South L.A. often have to drive long distances to find a grocery store that even sells fresh fruits and vegetables.

  • rss
  • Share
By Madeleine Brand • Jan 29, 2016 • 1 min read

Los Angeles is a place of stark contrasts, even when it comes to access to quality food. While residents in affluent parts of the region complain about congestion at their Whole Foods parking lot, residents of South L.A. often have to drive long distances to find a grocery store that even sells fresh fruits and vegetables. There have been some encouraging and disappointing developments recently. Celebrity chef Roy Choi – of Kogi food truck fame – recently opened up his version of a healthy fast food restaurant in Watts. There were celebrations, lines around the block. Meanwhile, a lot that’s been vacant since 1993 sits nearby. City and community leaders had been trying to get a grocery store to open up there only to see the most recent plan collapse. We check in on all these latest efforts.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Madeleine Brand

    Host, 'Press Play'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Matt Holzman

    Producer, 'The Document'

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jolie Myers

    Managing Producer, 'Press Play'

  • KCRW placeholder

    Breanna Hawkins

    Los Angeles Food Policy Council

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jasmyne Cannick

    social and political commentator

    News
Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand