Sustainable Little Tokyo: PbP LA's 2021 Beneficiary

Apr 1

Project by Project (PbP) Los Angeles is excited to announce Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC)’s Sustainable Little Tokyo (SLT) program as our 2021 beneficiary partner for our campaign theme, Asian Americans and the Environment.

Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) is a hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture and a community gathering place for the diverse voices it inspires. JACCC, Little Tokyo Community Council and Little Tokyo Service Center lead Sustainability Little Tokyo (SLT), a community-driven initiative working to ensure a healthy, equitable, and culturally rich Little Tokyo for generations to come. This neighborhood-generated framework is dedicated to environmental, economic, and cultural sustainability.

The Little Tokyo community drives all of SLT’s projects —meaning the community decides what projects will strengthen and sustain Little Tokyo and organizes to make them happen. Notably, SLT’s initiatives emphasize and embed the importance of Japanese and API culture and traditions to sustainable efforts. The initiatives below demonstrate how SLT’s work aligns with our 2021 campaign theme, Asian Americans and the Environment, includes:

Hiro’s Bokashi Club - These workshops teach the Okinawan tradition of Bokashi composting, an anaerobic process to compost. SLT also sells bokashi supplies online!
SLT Compost Bin - SLT’s compost bin is open every Thursday from 12-2pm for community members to drop off food waste. This helps the neighborhood go green and minimize food waste!
Jitesnsha Little Tokyo Bike Rides - A coalition of Nikkei community organizers that organize bike tours for a healthy and sustainable Little Tokyo community.
Little Tokyo Little Produce Stand - In partnership with API Forward Movement, this pop-up produce stand sells affordable, organic fruits and veggies from local Asian American Pacific Islander farmers.
Food Recovery at Obons - SLT collects leftover food and produce from local Buddhist Obon Festivals and donates to local shelters and food banks, such as St. Francis Center and Weingart Center.
First Street North - First Street North is one of the last 3 remaining pieces of land that can be controlled by the community. Help Save First Street North by ensuring selection of community based developers.
And many more!

Through this year’s beneficiary partnership, PbP aims to expand SLT’s capacity to educate and provide outreach to the community. As our volunteers lend hands-on support and raise awareness for SLT, they will also learn more about API culture and traditions and how to support green practices. Additionally, our pro-bono consulting project will support SLT’s long-term capacity, such as marketing and outreach strategies, financial strategy for the local food stand, and project management on community vision. We’re excited for this opportunity and look forward to an impactful partnership!