Features

Valley food bank answers the call for those in need during the pandemic Imelda Canales packages food to be distributed at MEND's biweekly Food Bank in Pacoima, Calif., on March 9, 2021. Photo by Katya Castillo. Cars start lining up by 7:45 a.m. on San Fernando Road in Pacoima, to...

Ethiopian Coffee ceremony honors family and health A clay coffee pot rests on a tray made from aluminum foil as incense burns near it. Coffee ceremonies are an important part of Ethiopian culture. Photo by Katya Castillo. Coffee is an essential drink in Ethiopian culture. It’s a community experience and...

...the natural fast food An orange slice hangs in Los Angeles on May 6, 2021. Photo illustration by Katya Castillo. Joe Stepanian opens up The Real Juicery every morning with color on his mind. Lemons, oranges and apples are washed and hung in baskets. The colors act...

The Chavez family shares their wares at Encino Farmers Market Carlos Chaves places brocoli on the C. Chavez farm stand at the Encino Farmers Market in Van Nuys, Calif., on April 4, 2020. Photo by Katya Castillo. On a cool breezy Sunday, rays from the sun gently shone upon a...

California caterer creates plant-based plates for customers Louis Fuentes prepares his vegan fish tacos before deep frying them in Cypress, Calif., on March 14, 2021. Photo by Jackelyn Ruby. It was two years ago when Louis Fuentes had a catering event at an art walk show in San Diego.

The LA neighborhood expands its flavorful landscape A plate filled with cabbage, tomato salad, lentils, pumpkins, green beans and other vegetables are served on injera, a pancake-like bread, from Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine, in Little Ethiopia in Los Angeles on May 1, 2021. Photo by Katya Castillo.

A former model tackles the challenges of an eating disorder Julia Kinports looks in the mirror in Miami on April 12, 2021. Photo by Michael Loizzo. Stepping into the elevator with a lump in her throat and feeling the urge to throw up, there was...

Kevin Perez sits in his bedroom in Sun Valley, Calif., on Nov. 5, 2020. Photo by Katya Castillo. After a long night of dance practice for his cousin’s quinceanera, 12-year-old Kevin Perez came home late. His mother was angry—rightfully so, he thought. But when he sat down for her lecture, she...

Photo illustration by Katya Castillo. Vanessa Rivero sits outside her home. Photo by Vanessa Rivero. Most people have struggled with getting a good night’s sleep. People toss and turn in bed before finally getting rest. But what if that rest never comes? When discussing mental...

5-year-old Robbie Silos plays a mobile game on his smartphone. Photo by Peter Villafane.Gamer Robbie Silos with his mother Cheska Silos. Photo by Peter Villafane. “Robbie! Robbie! Robbie! Robbie!” “ROBBIE!” After the fifth call, mother of two Cheska Silos finally gets the attention of her 5-year-old son.