Monday, January 26, 2026

Fresh Produce Distribution Set for Altadena as Food Coalition Continues Fire Recovery Support

Hollywood nonprofit plans to distribute free fruits and vegetables at Altadena library parking lot Wednesday

The Hollywood Food Coalition plans to hand out free bags of fresh produce to Altadena residents on Wednesday, January 28, at the Altadena Main Library parking lot, continuing a food assistance program that has brought 16 distributions to the fire-scarred community since June 2025.

The giveaway runs from 11 a.m. to noon at 600 E. Mariposa St. Supplies are limited and distributed first-come, first-served. Residents are asked to bring their own bags.

While many wildfire-related emergency food programs offer canned goods and shelf-stable items, the Hollywood Food Coalition provides fresh organic produce — bananas, peaches, potatoes, celery, peppers and onions among the typical offerings.

“The idea is to support the Altadena community with healthy food, to take one thing off their plate of concerns and help them with their bottom line,” said Linda Pianigiani, associate director of development and communications for the Hollywood Food Coalition. “This way, the food they put on the table is healthy food. And they don’t have to worry about spending money to feed their families.”

Fire survivors who have attended previous distributions say the fresh produce fills a gap that other programs cannot.

“A lot of other distributions don’t have veggies or fruits, and this is a blessing,” said one retired teacher whose home was severely damaged in the fire. “Anything we can save right now is needed for rebuilding our house.”

Another resident who lost their home said the produce helps because “there’s not many stores nearby or even a good selection of produce in open stores. And prices are too high.”

The Hollywood Food Coalition, founded in 1987, operates a Community Exchange that rescues and redistributes more than 2.5 million pounds of food annually. The nonprofit has never missed a day of service in its nearly four decades of operation.

In Altadena, the organization partners with My Tribe Rise, the Altadena Farmer’s Market, Dena Rebuild and the Altadena Library District.

A second January distribution was held on January 14.

For more information, call the Altadena Library at 626-798-0833 or visit altadenalibrary.org/programs.

The Main Library building will close at the end of January for an 18-month renovation.

One year after the fire took so much, a bag of fresh vegetables remains a small act of restoration.