"Today gives the chance for the community and people out there to know that there's an opportunity to really make a difference," said Urban Harvester founder Linda Hess.
Hess is talking about providing better food access and eliminating hunger, which is one of the main points of Food Day.
"Everything that we eat is basically who we are," said Patricia Diaz, co-owner of Great Harvest Bakery in South Pasadena.
Diaz hopes that isn't the meal deal at the drive through. She handcrafts baked goods the old-fashioned way, stone grinding wheat daily.
Diaz then shares day-old products to Urban Harvester for those who are less fortunate.
"They pick up once a week, and they take it to food pantries. Union Station in Pasadena is one them," said Diaz.
Food Day is a reminder, actually a suggestion, for us to eat slowly and enjoy good quality food. We should not only enjoy foods grown locally, but also foods grown and raised sustainably and humanely.
Other goals are to support sustainable farms and limit subsidies for big agribusiness, establish fair conditions for food and farm workers, protect the environment by reformulating factory farms, and curb junk food marketed toward children.
The first Food Day was launched in 1975 - with the intention to grow alongside Earth Day - but funding faltered and the concept was shelved after two years.
Thirty-six years later, Food Day was reborn with 1,800 activities around America.
In Los Angeles, Occidental College hosted a variety of presentations. There were also farm "fruit picks" and healthy restaurant offerings.
