West LA Food Hub Offers Veterans More Than a Meal

Whole Health and Food and Nutrition Services at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) aimed to foster a safe, welcoming environment where Veterans in need could find the support and services they’ve earned and deserve.

As of July 7, the Food Hub has served 341 unique Veterans, logged 936 visits, and distributed more than 13,400 pounds of food at the West LA VA campus. The food is generously donated by community partners such as Food for Health, Village for Vets, and Westside Food Bank.

“The Food Hub is more than just a pantry, it’s a safe space for connection and well-being,” said Shari Kushins-Moore, Co-Chair of the Veteran Food Security Committee, Clinical Dietitian and Specialty Programs Manager for Nutrition and Food at VAGLAHS. “Our goal is to provide Veterans with nutritious food that supports their health, and the dignity and support to help them thrive.”

Food insecurity among U.S. Veterans is a significant and well-documented challenge. A 2021 study, “Risk Factors for Veteran Food Insecurity: Findings from a National US Department of Veterans Affairs Food Insecurity Screener,” estimates that the prevalence of food insecurity among U.S. Veterans varies from a low of 6% to as high as 24% depending on the criteria utilized. Higher rates of food insecurity have been reported among Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan (27%), women Veterans (28%), homeless and formerly homeless Veterans (49 %) and Veterans with serious mental illness (35%).

The West LA Food Hub is one of 14 VA pilot sites nationwide, and it stands out in several ways. This location is the first site to be staffed by Peer Specialists who create a welcoming space where Veterans can feel comfortable asking for help. As Veterans themselves, Peer Specialists play an important role in connecting fellow Veterans to critical services and resources.

“As Peer Specialists, we have our own lived experiences,” said Stacey Bell, an Army Veteran and Peer Specialist. Bell has worked at the Food Hub since its opening and greets Veterans with a friendly smile as they arrive. Her personal experience with mental health challenges, combined with over four years of experience as a peer, makes her uniquely qualified to support Veterans with compassion and care. 

“While I was not unhoused, I have colleagues who were unhoused, and we’re not here to judge, we’re not here be part of the barriers. We’re here to help as much as possible. So just come in. It’s okay,” said Bell.

This Hub also differs from traditional food banks by focusing on whole foods, fresh produce, and a variety of proteins and whole grains. Veterans can even get cat and dog food for their pets. They can also pick and choose what they would like based on availability and are able to offer feedback on the food selection. 

There are some guidelines in place to ensure that the food distribution is equitable. For example, Veterans can only visit once a week. If Veterans are already receiving food through programs such as Care, Treatment, and Rehabilitative Services (CTRS) or other transitional housing, the Food Hub requests that they refrain from visiting, so that those who need the food the most can access it.

Another way this Hub is different is that Veterans who visit are screened and offered direct referrals to VAGLAHS dietitians. The Food Hub also offers direct referrals to social workers to ensure Veterans are connected to food programs such as SNAP and other meal delivery programs they qualify for. Nutrition counseling is then tailored to their health conditions, goals, and even to the specific items they pick up. 

“Now we are not just telling Veterans to eat more fruits and vegetables. We are handing them that food and showing them how to use it,” said Kushins-Moore. “When this need is met, Veterans can shift their energy back to themselves, to their mental health, their care, their goals.”

Additionally, to ensure high-quality food, the food hub follows the same strict food safety protocols that the VA hospital follows.

“We care about what goes in the bag,” said Kushins-Moore. “We check temperatures. We refuse items that do not meet our standards. Veterans deserve that care.”

Renee Leonard, a 70-year-old Army Veteran and new resident at 701 MacArthur Ave., which opened in April 2025 with 118 units for formerly homeless Veterans and their families, courageously spoke about her struggles with housing and mental health.

“This Food Hub has saved my life, they have the basic necessities that we need, and they give them to us with compassion and care, and they never make us feel less than,” said Leonard. 

As a diabetic, accessing nutritious food is critical to her health and happiness. 

“When you come in here, they give you helpful hints on everything from how to cook the food, how to go to the [Veterans] Garden, they even told me about how at the [Veterans] Garden you can grow your own food or be a part of a job training program, I mean this place is amazing,” said Leonard.

Veterans experiencing food insecurity can visit the Food Hub at the West LA VA campus, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Building 258, Room 119. For more information, visit the Food Security Resources website or email VHAWLAFoodHub@va.gov.

To donate to the Food Hub, please visit the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) website for more information or call CDCE at .