Transforming Pacoima

I worked with a team of UCLA students to envision new urban design and economic development strategies for Pacoima, a neighborhood located in the East Valley region of Los Angeles.

Pacoima: a Closer Look at Demographics and Food Access

One of the issues in Pacoima is environmental justice and food access. Using GIS as an analysis tool, I identify possible sites for nutrition education programs and farmers' markets. The idea is to work with farmers and grocery stores to sell produce at cost to low-income families and youth, at select after-school program sites.

In order to find an appropriate location for the Farm Fresh Program it is important to review and analyze the following information:

1) Demographics for Pacoima, especially low income, minority, youth who are the target participants for the Farm Fresh Program;

2) The schools in the area, since the since the selected Farm Fresh location will be at an after-school program site; and

3) Existing supermarkets to determine if there is a need for farmers' markets in Pacoima