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Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles

EIN 95-4597000 · Los Angeles, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.
  • Only 42% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

FOOD ACCESS LA'S MISSION IS TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS AND FRESH FOOD ACCESS, PROMOTE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES THAT BENEFIT LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, AND SUPPORT CALIFORNIA SMALL AND MID-SIZE FARMS.

Income
$9.0 million
Spending
$17.0 million
Spent on programs
42%
Reserves
-5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
54
Volunteers
37
Highest pay
$136,164, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 210% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 88% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $3.4 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES EIGHT FARMERS' MARKETS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA TO PROVIDE FRESH FOOD ACCESS TO LOS ANGELES RESIDENTS. EACH MARKET IS OPERATED FOR A PORTION OF ONE DAY EACH WEEK YEAR-ROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY IN AUGUST 2025, THE ORGANIZATION OPENED THEIR NINTH FARMERS' MARKET IN LOS ANGELES.
  2. $918,511 spent. THE ORGANIZATION'S POMPEA SMITH GOOD COOKING/BUENA COCINA PROGRAM EDUCATES CALFRESH ELIGIBLE ADULTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION ESSENTIALS AND HEALTHY PREPARATION OF MEALS. THIS IS PURSUANT TO A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMING PROVIDES FARMERS' MARKET ADULT CLASSES SHOWCASING IN-SEASON FARM FRESH PRODUCE FUNDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE ORGANIZATION ADMINISTERS PROGRAMING PROVIDING FARMERS' MARKET KIDS' CULINARY CLASSES SHOWCASING IN-SEASON FARM FRESH PRODUCE FUNDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE. THE ORGANIZATION'S POMPEA SMITH GOOD COOKING/BUENA COCINA PROGRAM PROVIDES NUTRITION EDUCATION IN THE CLASSROOM TO 4TH AND 5TH GRADE STUDENTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT. THIS PROGRAM IS AN EXTENSION OF THE GRANT FUNDING THROUGH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTRY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
  3. $2.9 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES A NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME SHOPPERS THAT MATCHES CAL FRESH BENEFITS SPENT AT ITS FARMERS' MARKETS. THE NEW LA COUNTY MARKET MATCH PROGRAM, INTRODUCED IN 2022 AND ADMINISTERED BY FOOD ACCESS LA,EXPANDS THE MARKET MATCH PROGRAM TO OTHER REGIONAL MARKET OPERATORS, CORNER STORES, AND POP-UP PRODUCE STANDS. THIS PROGRAM HAS TWO MAIN FUNDING SOURCES: AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) / LA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH MARKET AND THE FEDERALLY FUNDED GUS SCHUMACHER NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM AND ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE ECOLOGY CENTER. FOOD ACCESS LA ALSO OFFERS WEEKLY INCENTIVES TO COMPTON COLLEGE STUDENTS AT THE COMPTON COLLEGE MARKET WITH ARPA FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY COMPTON COLLEGE. THIS PROGRAM ALSO RECEIVES SUPPORT THROUGH CEDARS-SANAI, KAISER PERMANENTE, AND OTHER PRIVATE FOUNDATION GRANTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.