LAUNCHED IN 2020,
THE SEASONED ACCELERATOR FORMALIZES AND EXPANDS
UPON THE SERVICES SEE LA PROVIDES ENTREPRENEURS
IN OUR NETWORK OF
FARMERS MARKETS.
The program, funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD), is unique among local business accelerator programs for its focus on the farmer’s market based food industry. Seasoned offers a cohort of entrepreneurs 1:1 business advising and mentorship from consultants with expansive food and beverage industry experience, case management services, linkage to capital and other resources, webinars, and workshops on issues specific to the food and beverage industry.
OUR RESEARCH
In 2020, in partnership with the Urban and Environmental Policy Institute (UEPI) and funding from Local Initiatives Support Corp LA (LISC), SEE-LA conducted research on our local food industry and a needs assessment of local food entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on those within our network of farmers’ markets, as well as impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic economic crisis. The full report will be published in October 2020.
OUR OBJECTIVES
SEE-LA’s objectives for the Seasoned Accelerator are to create a healthy local food economy,
sustain and grow existing businesses, and create quality, local food sector jobs, especially for
people facing barriers to employment. The program largely serves immigrant entrepreneurs, and
entrepreneurs of color, particularly women of color who
form the majority of SEE-LA’s food vendors.
