LA County Launches “Dine Local” to Strengthen and Support Food Businesses
New County Initiative Provides Technology Upgrades, Workforce Support, Compliance Resources, and Access to New Customer Channels
Los Angeles, CA –– This National Nutrition Month, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), in partnership with the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), the County Sustainability Office (CSO), and the Department of Public Works (DPW), is launching Dine Local, a new campaign and resource program designed to help more than 26,000 food businesses increase revenue and modernize operations as well as strengthen long-term sustainability across the region.
Dine Local is part of Shop Local LA County, a broader County campaign helping strengthen the local economy by driving consumers to spend with local small businesses. Dine Local specifically focuses on supporting food businesses, which play a vital role in expanding food access and strengthening Los Angeles County’s economy, workforce, cultural identity, and tourism appeal. Despite sustained growth in the sector, these businesses have faced mounting challenges in recent years, including rising food and labor costs, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and unexpected economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires, and immigration enforcement actions. Coupled with persistently high commercial rents and cost of living, these pressures have led to business closures and have made it increasingly difficult for small and independent food establishments to remain viable.
To provide relief, Dine Local promotes independently owned restaurants and provides support to businesses through a single application, from which eligible food businesses may receive one or all of the following resources:
- Compostable foodware supply that meets County requirements under the Single-Use Plastics Ordinance—applications accepted until April 14, 2026 or while supplies last;
- A Square Card Reader device to enable contactless and chip-enabled payments, including Apple Pay and Google Pay;
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) to help maintain health and safety standards, including masks and gloves;
- Connection to employee hiring, training, and employer incentive through DEO’s America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs); and
- Application support for participating in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), which expands participating businesses' customer bases and revenues by accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards while increasing food access for vulnerable members of the community.
This campaign and resource program represents a coordinated public and private investment, including $150,000 from the California Ocean Protection Council, $44,250 in donated Square point-of-sale card readers, and $7,000 in PPE provided through DEO’s Safer at Work program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Together, these resources are designed to help food businesses reduce expenses, increase operational efficiency, meet compliance requirements, modernize payment systems, and expand their customer reach. Resources will be updated as more become available.
To qualify, businesses must be consumer-facing food businesses operating in LA County. They must also be independently owned, currently in operation, have fewer than 100 employees, and generate less than $6 million in annual revenue.
Dine Local advances the Board of Supervisors’ July 15, 2025, motion, Advancing Opportunity and Nutrition: Restaurant Meals Program (RMP), authored by Supervisors Hilda L. Solis and Janice Hahn, which expands awareness and participation among both eligible residents and local restaurants. Through RMP, eligible residents can use their EBT cards linked to CalFresh to purchase hot, prepared meals, creating a reliable revenue stream for small businesses while improving access to nutritious food for those most in need. Building on this effort, the initiative also supports the Board’s July 23, 2024, motion Preparing and Planning for Los Angeles County’s Transition to EBT Chip/Tap Technology, by providing eligible businesses with no-cost, modern point-of-sale devices enabling them to accept EBT and other digital payments more efficiently. Finally, Dine Local advances the Board’s October 15, 2019, motion, Limiting Single Use Plastics in Los Angeles County Unincorporated Areas, by providing eligible businesses with compliant foodware items.
“Food is at the center of our communities, and the small businesses that provide it deserve to be supported and given the opportunity to thrive,” said LA County Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “When we invest in our neighborhood restaurants, we are investing in working families and local pride. This effort is about opening doors so more people can participate in and benefit from our local economy. It is also about making sure everyone has access to affordable, culturally relevant meals in the communities they call home.”
“Food businesses power our local economy, create jobs, and bring life to our neighborhoods,” said Kelly LoBianco, Director of the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity. “Dine Local delivers practical, revenue-focused tools from modern payment systems to workforce connections so our local food entrepreneurs can compete, grow, and thrive.”
"DPSS is proud to partner with the DEO to advance the Restaurant Meals Program—an initiative that improves access to nutritious, affordable meals for homeless, elderly, and disabled CalFresh participants. This program supports our most vulnerable residents while investing in local businesses—creating a win for our entire community," said Jackie Contreras, Director of the LA County Department of Public Social Services.
“As we work to reduce waste and protect our environment, it’s important that we support local businesses through that transition," said Mark Pestrella, Director of LA County Public Works, “Dine Local helps restaurants meet County requirements while reducing costs and maintaining high-quality service for their customers.”
“What's good for the environment is ultimately good for business,” said Rita Kampalath, Chief Sustainability Officer for LA County. “Dine Local is a win-win initiative that will help food businesses thrive while also reducing harmful waste and litter in our neighborhoods.”
Interested businesses can apply by for one or all resources by completing a single, short online application at ShopLocal.LA/DineLocal.
Upon submission and eligibility confirmation, businesses will be contacted with detailed instructions for receiving equipment and supplies, as well as guidance on next steps for learning more and enrolling in the CalFresh Restaurant Meals Program and AJCCs, as applicable.
