In honor of Los Angeles Fire Service Day, City Council Member David Ryu and the First-In Fire Foundation teamed up with the Original Farmers Market to deliver meals to 13 Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) fire stations on Saturday, May 9.
The Firehouse Dinners program was created by the First-In Fire Foundation.
“Our firefighters have to be on the front lines for our safety, but they don’t have to be on the frontlines of the grocery store,” quipped Lyn MacEwan Cohen, President of the First-In Fire Foundation, when we spoke to her about the program last week. “We can keep them out of the grocery store and also help small businesses at the same time. I love that we can connect our firefighters with local small businesses.”
Teaming up with The Original Farmers Market at 3rd and Fairfax, longtime supporters of the First-in Fire Foundation and Cohen served the first Firehouse Dinner earlier this month, feeding three shifts at Fire Station 61, just down the street from the Farmers Market.
With support from Ryu’s discretionary fund and his field staff, Cohen was able to scale up to delivering dinners to 13 fire stations in Council District 4 on Fire Service Day.
“Los Angeles firefighters continue to serve our City with courage throughout this Coronavirus pandemic,” Ryu said in a press statement about the event. “Most years, we’d celebrate Fire Service Day with a community celebration or pancake breakfast. This year, I thought we could show our appreciation and our support for small businesses by buying meals for all the fire stations in Council District Four. I’m proud to work with First-In Fire and The Original Farmers Market to serve our local firefighters.”
“What a perfect way to thank our local hometown heroes – delivering firefighters’ favorite foods, comfort foods, right to the firehouse door. Barbecue ribs, fresh broccoli and potatoes and traditional apple and cherry pies show we care. We collaborate with outstanding partners and trusted leaders – Council District Four and The Original Farmers Market. Special delivery by our dedicated Councilmember David Ryu punctuates the importance of this strong Community-Fire Department Partnership at the grass roots level for neighborhood preparedness in this pandemic and beyond,” Cohen said in a press release issued by Ryu’s office.
“We are so pleased that our merchants were asked to participate in the First-In Fire Foundation’s and Councilman Ryu’s Firehouse Appreciation Day program,” said Mark Panatier, Vice President of the A.F. Gilmore Company, owner of The Original Farmers Market, in a press statement.
“Providing nourishing and delicious food is what our grocers and restaurants do best. I know our participating businesses are thrilled to be a part of this heartfelt ‘thank you gift’ to the brave men and women at our local fire stations who work so tirelessly for our community each and every day.”
“The Los Angeles Fire Department is extremely grateful to Councilmember Ryu and the First-In Fire Foundation for their generous donation to several of our fire stations. Councilmember Ryu has always been a strong supporter of public safety and we truly appreciate his efforts to recognize our members on Fire Service Day,” LAFD Deputy Chief Graham Everett said in a press statement.
Firefighters are receiving the ingredients for a delicious barbecue meal including babyback ribs from Huntington Meat and Sausage, fresh produce from Farm Boy Produce and, for dessert, hand-made apple and cherry pies from Du-par’s Restaurant and Bakery, which all operate at The Original Farmers Market. The program not only provides hearty meals to firefighters, but helps support small businesses and their employees. The meals are funded by Councilmember Ryu’s discretionary funds and donations to the First-In Fire Foundation.
To learn more about the First-In Fire Foundation and the Firehouse Dinners program, please visit firstinfirefoundation.org.
