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Long Beach Fresh announced Monday its latest citywide advocacy endeavor, entitled Food Party in a Box, a new program to bring free cooking demos and food-centric workshops to the Long Beach community.

“Long Beach’s culinary experts and food growers have incredible knowledge at their fingertips,” said Ryan Smolar, co-coordinator of LB Fresh, in a statement. “So it made sense to matchmake food experts with our community, one meeting at a time, in face-to-face fun and easy conversations through this new initiative.”

The mission of Food Party in a Box is to educate the public about healthy local food by teaching those interested how to buy it affordably, how to prepare it or even how to build a business with it. Workshops, demos and lectures will be provided by Long Beach’s numerous food advocates and entrepreneurs, including nutritionists, chefs, farmers, distributors and artisanal food companies, according to the release.

“We’re wanting to speak to traditionally underserved members of our community,” stated Tony Damico, co-coordinator of Long Beach Fresh. “We especially encourage senior centers, youth groups, cultural centers and service groups to sign up.”

Community groups can visit the Long Beach Fresh website here to request a free guest speaker. Interested groups are asked to please have a few dates and times in mind for a meeting, topics they are interested in, and some information about your meeting space, as in your proximity to a kitchen or sink.

Long Beach Fresh also announced that the organization is seeking food experts to participate in the “Food Party in a Box” program. Gardeners, chefs, caterers, farmers, food distributors, food entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and other food advocates can sign up here. Smolar stated the new program is a fantastic way to connect potential volunteers as well as nurture potential “champions” for fresh and locally sourced food.

“The simple act of convening is extremely important; it has powerful results,” Smolar said in a statement. “We’re multiplying our community network of informed and empowered residents, and we’re introducing our food leaders to potential volunteers and advocates. It’s win-win, it’s authentic, it’s truthful education about local food, from the people who live it every day. And everybody loves to talk about great food.”

More information about Food Party in a Box can be found here.