Los Angeles is hailed to be the land of possibilities. Gorgeous weather and beautiful people help to create a mirage of accessibility. Of course, everything ain’t always as it seems.More than half of the adult population is overweight or obese in Los Angeles County. Statistics show that urban areas in Los Angeles are at higher risk for preventable diseases linked to obesity, including, diabetes, heart disease, stokes and cancer. In 2008 the Department of Public Health and the American Diabetes Association of Los Angeles found that 22% of residents suffer from obesity–up from 14.3% in 1997.
In an effort to combat those staggering statistics and redeem the city of dreams, we offer a variety of healthy options to get back on track to a healthier lifestyle. Here's our list of the best food co-ops, farmers markets, healthy restaurants and juice bars in L.A.
Los Angeles Food Coops
1) SoLA Food Co-op is a source for natural, organic and non-GMO foods in South L.A.
2) South Central Farmers’ Cooperative lets you order locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables online and pick them up at several locations in L.A.
3) Arroyo Food Co-op in Pasadena is a cooperative grocery store located in Pasadena.
4) Abundant Harvest Organics lets you sign up online to get organic fruits and vegetables delivered to your door.
Los Angeles: Farmers Markets
1) Baldwin Hills Farmers’ Market: This farmers' market is located in Crenshaw on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
2) Watts Healthy Farmers’ Market: Located on 103rd and Central Ave., WHFM is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3) Central Ave Farmers’ Market: Near to WHFM in Ted Watkins Park is the Central Ave. Farmers' Market, open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
4) Kaiser Permanente Farmers’ Market is on the corner of La Cienega and Cadillac Avenue and is open on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, or at its La Cienega and 18th Street location on Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
5) Long Beach SouthEast Farmers’ Market: Located in the Alamitas Bay Marina parking lot, this farmers' market is open on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Los Angeles Juice Spots / Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants:
1) Stuff I Eat: This Black-owned business on N. Market Street is committed to providing high quality, delicious vegan food.
2) Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine: This Fairfax Avenue spot is the first Black-owned, 100% Vegan Ethiopian restaurant in L.A. and was awarded "Best Ethnic Vegan Restaurant" by Los Angeles Magazine.
3) Sage Organic Vegan Bistro Sage in Echo Park follows a farm-to-table model, serving guests fresh, local, in-season produce at 1700 West Sunset Blvd. and opening soon on 4114 Sepulveda Blvd.
4) Liquid Juice Bar The Liquid Juice Bar specializes in raw organic juices serving the highest quality produce in all their juices and smoothies at 8180 Melrose Ave. They offer 1 day, 3 day and 5 day cleanses.
5) Beverly Hills Juice An L.A. original, this juice bar has been selling pressed organic juices since 1975.
