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Today, fast food is king in South L.A. Nearly three-quarters of restaurants offer food on the go, compared to 42 percent in pricier neighboring West Los Angeles.
The city's Community Redevelopment Agency estimates the area could support 14 new grocery stores and 74 more restaurants. But few businesses are biting on incentives that include hiring tax credits, 35 percent electricity discounts for a year and low interest loans.
"You throw public subsidies at them, and they still don't come," Kim said.
Like many residents of Lozoya's community, where 28 percent of households live below the federal poverty line, she relies on the small corner grocery a few blocks from her home for chicken, fruit and vegetables.
Until recently, Los Compadres Market and Restaurant looked like most others. But Lozoya and her classmates gave it a healthy makeover through a grant from The California Endowment, a private health foundation that aims to create healthy communities.
Chips and candy were removed from the front aisle of the store; a large cooler in the back was stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables; fruits were carefully laid out to avoid bruising; milk and cheese chilled alongside beer.
"These problems are really killing our communities," said Marion Standish, a program director for the endowment. "They're really disabling young people all over the state and limiting their potential in very serious ways, and limiting all of our potential as a result."
It's those limitations that Lozoya is trying to push past -- even in her own quiet ways at home.
A few times, she's convinced her parents to drive 45 minutes to Beverly Hills, where her father, a contractor who doesn't consider a meal complete without red meat, balks at the price of the perfectly ripe berries Lozoya piles into the cart.
"When we get to the checkout he says, 'This is the last time! Never again!'" Lozoya said, wagging her finger in imitation. "Now, me and my mom try to pay when he isn't looking."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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