Two IE Innovators are Helping Communities Grow Food—and Income From Their Own Back Yard
Kim Anthony • July 15, 2026
When most people think about starting a business, they don't imagine mealworms.
But for Dr. Gina Oliver and Richard Hutchison, two Inland Empire innovators from Yucaipa, that unlikely idea became the foundation for a company with the potential to transform food production, sustainability, and economic opportunity.
The founders of From the Land set out to solve two growing challenges: food insecurity and the high cost of traditional agriculture. Their solution is a compact, energy-efficient micro-farming system that allows families and entrepreneurs to produce food—and potentially generate income—from small spaces.
Their journey accelerated after participating in California's small business support ecosystem. They received business guidance, technical assistance, and a $10,000 California Dream Fund grant, which helped them refine their business model and build a working prototype. They later secured a $100,000 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant, allowing them to continue developing their technology.
Their farming system is designed to operate off the electrical grid using proprietary technology that combines solar power, environmental monitoring, and sustainable growing methods. One early demonstration focused on raising mealworms, creating multiple revenue streams through fertilizer, reptile feed, and other agricultural products. The founders envision adapting the same technology for vegetables, herbs, poultry, and other small-scale farming applications.
Since then, the company has continued to grow. Through programs at the University of California, Riverside, the founders refined their concept, won the SoCal OASIS Pitch Challenge, joined the EPIC startup program, and secured additional funding—including a $250,000 Catalyst Fund grant—to expand their "Littlest Big Farm" concept.
For Inland Empire communities where access to healthy food and economic opportunity can be limited, the company's vision extends beyond farming. Their goal is to create neighborhood-scale micro-farms that help residents grow food, lower costs, and build small businesses from their own properties.
Opportunity doesn't always arrive in the form of a large employer moving into town. Sometimes it begins with an entrepreneur who sees a problem differently.
From the Land demonstrates how technical assistance, mentoring, and strategic funding can help transform an innovative idea into a business with the potential to create jobs, strengthen local food systems, and expand economic mobility throughout the Inland Empire.
Thinking about starting or growing a business?
The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides no-cost one-on-one business advising, workshops, and guidance on financing, marketing, government contracting, and business growth for entrepreneurs throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
PCR Business Finance has officially opened the doors to its new headquarters at 3800 W. Slauson Avenue in Los Angeles , placing a major small-business resource directly in the community it was created to serve. Elected officials, community organizations, business owners and supporters gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house celebrating the new location—and what it could mean for entrepreneurs throughout South Los Angeles. For PCR President and CEO Mark Robertson Sr. , reaching this milestone required faith, determination and a clear commitment to the community. “The process has been one of faith, persistence, pushing forward to make sure this happens for our community at this time,” Robertson said. “PCR was started almost 50 years ago to support businesses that don’t have resources, and now, here we are, putting our footprint in the community that needs us most,” he continued. “We are just so excited about that.” Nearly 50 Years of Expanding Economic Opportunity Founded in 1977, PCR Business Finance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes community economic development through financial, educational and advisory services. PCR is described as the only organization in Los Angeles County with dual designation as both a Community Development Financial Institution and Small Business Development Center. Through those roles, the organization connects under-resourced entrepreneurs with financing, technical assistance, education and guidance designed to help them start, stabilize and grow their businesses. Its new Slauson Avenue headquarters represents a significant investment in that mission—and in the future of South Los Angeles business owners. “We’re not just celebrating today a new building, but what this building represents for South L.A. entrepreneurs,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell , who delivered the keynote address. “We deserve a world-class resource right here in our own community.” Mitchell described the new headquarters as a $6 million investment in the unincorporated Second District and emphasized the importance of strengthening community-based financial institutions. “We are here at a pivotal time,” Mitchell said. “Community development financial institutions are under attack from our very own federal government.” “This $6 million investment—I said, $6 million investment—in unincorporated Second District really is a declaration that we believe in ourselves, this community, and we’re not going to wait on the federal government to validate our worth.” A Visible Home for Business-Building Resources Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson celebrated PCR’s decision to make its presence visible along the Slauson Avenue corridor. “A big round of applause for beautifying an already beautiful corridor—our corridor—and putting your name on front street so everybody can see that we’re up in here, about the business of our community having small businesses,” Harris-Dawson said. “It’s important that you’re here. It’s important that everybody knows, if I ever get ready to have a business, I know where to go. It’s right here on the corner.” Other officials and representatives attending the celebration included: Long Beach City Councilwoman Tunua Thrash-Ntuk Representatives from the office of Compton Mayor Emma Sharif Representatives from the office of U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove Representatives from the office of California State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas Representatives from the office of California State Treasurer Fiona Ma Representatives from the office of Assemblymember Isaac Bryan Representatives from the office of Assemblymember Tina McKinnor Representatives from the office of Los Angeles County Assessor Jeffrey Prang Representatives from the office of Los Angeles Metro Board Director Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker Helping Businesses Prepare for Major Opportunities PCR enters its next chapter with a long record of connecting businesses and communities to capital. The organization recently surpassed $50 million in administered funds through Los Angeles Metro’s Business Interruption Fund , one of many milestones it has achieved during nearly five decades of service. PCR is also helping small businesses prepare for the economic activity expected around the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles and other large-scale events coming to the region. Those opportunities could generate new customers, contracts and visibility for local companies. But small-business owners may need financing, certifications, stronger operations and technical guidance to compete effectively. PCR’s combination of capital and business-development services positions the organization to help entrepreneurs become ready for those opportunities. Bringing the Work Back Home The opening also carried deep personal meaning for Robertson, who grew up in the surrounding neighborhood. “It feels wonderful,” Robertson said after cutting the ribbon. “This is the community I grew up in. I went to 54th Street School, maybe just a half mile from here.” “This is my neighborhood, and it’s good to be able to go out, have been educated, trained and bring all of that back to the community I love.” With its new headquarters now open, PCR Business Finance is creating a visible place where entrepreneurs can seek funding, receive guidance and find the support needed to move their businesses forward. For more information about PCR’s financing, education and business-advisory services, visit pcrcorp.org . UBJ Takeaway: South Los Angeles and Southern California entrepreneurs seeking capital or business assistance should review PCR’s available loan programs, advising services and upcoming training opportunities—particularly those preparing for public contracting and LA28-related growth.
As Los Angeles prepares to welcome the world, local entrepreneurs are being encouraged to prepare now for the contracts, capital and growth opportunities surrounding the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. By Urban Business Journal Staff The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring more than world-class competition to Los Angeles. They are also expected to generate significant demand for local goods, services and suppliers—and JPMorganChase says small businesses should be positioned to participate. JPMorganChase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon and Los Angeles-based executive Diedra Porché are helping focus attention on the economic potential surrounding LA28, particularly for entrepreneurs and neighborhood businesses that have historically struggled to access major contracts and growth capital. The financial institution recently became the Official Bank of Team USA and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a Founding Partner of LA28 and the first Global Banking Partner in Olympic history. But for Los Angeles business owners, the most consequential part of the partnership may be what happens beyond the competition venues. JPMorganChase says its LA28 commitment will include efforts to empower local businesses, increase access to financial resources and help ensure that the economic impact of the Games continues after the closing ceremony. “The Olympic and Paralympic Games bring people together in powerful ways,” Porché wrote when announcing the partnership. “And they create opportunity that extends well beyond the moment—for athletes, for families and for communities.” A Major Economic Moment for Los Angeles Delivering an event of LA28’s scale will require an extensive network of companies. The organizing committee says hundreds of contracting opportunities are expected across industries including: Event production Food and beverage Hospitality and tourism Transportation Logistics and warehousing Security Technology Marketing and communications Staffing and workforce services Equipment rental Professional services Cleaning, maintenance and waste management LA28 has established a goal of directing 75% of its addressable spending to local businesses and 25% to small businesses through its Community Business Supplier Program. That commitment could open doors for Los Angeles entrepreneurs—but registration alone will not be enough. Companies must be financially prepared, operationally capable and ready to meet the requirements of large institutional buyers. Capital, Coaching and Connections JPMorganChase’s LA28 partnership comes as the company expands its broader support for small businesses through its American Dream Initiative. The bank plans to provide nearly $80 billion in small-business lending over the next decade, hire more than 1,000 additional business bankers and expand its team of senior business consultants. Los Angeles is among the priority markets identified for increased support. The initiative also includes an expansion of Coaching for Impact, which provides entrepreneurs with individual coaching, technical assistance and business education. Porché, JPMorganChase’s regional chair for California and the West and head of Community and Business Development, has spent much of her career connecting entrepreneurs to capital, mentoring and practical financial tools. Her leadership is especially relevant in Los Angeles, where many small and diverse businesses have the expertise to perform major contracts but may need help strengthening cash flow, accessing working capital or navigating complex procurement systems. That distinction matters. Winning a large contract can place unexpected pressure on a small company. Vendors may need to hire employees, purchase inventory, secure equipment and complete work weeks—or months—before receiving payment. Access to capital is therefore not separate from procurement readiness. It is part of it. Opportunity Is Not the Same as Access The arrival of the Games does not automatically guarantee that neighborhood businesses will benefit. Small companies can still be excluded by limited outreach, complicated registration systems, insurance requirements, bonding thresholds, slow payment schedules or contracts packaged at sizes that only established corporations can manage. For LA28’s small-business commitment to create meaningful economic mobility, local entrepreneurs must be able to compete as prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers throughout the Games’ supply chain. Banks, corporations, government agencies and technical-assistance organizations will also need to coordinate their resources. Business owners should not have to navigate disconnected systems to locate financing, certifications, training and contracting opportunities. The true measure of LA28’s economic legacy will not simply be how much money the Games generate. It will be how much of that investment reaches Los Angeles businesses, workers and communities—and whether participating companies emerge stronger after 2028. What Los Angeles Businesses Should Do Now The contracting window is already opening. Business owners should begin preparing before opportunities aligned with their capabilities are announced. 1. Register with LA28 Businesses interested in supplying goods or services should complete the official LA28 Supplier Registration . Registration places a company in the supplier database but does not guarantee a contract. LA28 may contact registered companies when relevant opportunities arise. 2. Join RAMP LA28’s competitive procurement opportunities are expected to appear through the City of Los Angeles’ Regional Alliance Marketplace for Procurement , commonly known as RAMP. Businesses should create a complete vendor profile, select accurate commodity codes and review the platform regularly for Requests for Information, Expressions of Interest and formal solicitations. 3. Prepare a Strong Capability Statement A one-page capability statement should clearly communicate: The company’s core services Relevant project experience Past performance Certifications Geographic service area Insurance and bonding capacity Business identifiers and commodity codes Contact information What makes the company especially qualified The document should be tailored to the buyer rather than used as a generic company flyer. 4. Review Financial Capacity Businesses should understand how much working capital they would need to perform a major contract successfully. Owners should review cash flow, credit, payroll capacity, equipment needs and the financial effect of delayed payments before submitting a bid. 5. Secure Relevant Certifications Depending on the opportunity, certification as a small, minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ-owned or disabled-owned business may increase visibility and provide access to supplier-diversity programs. Business owners should verify which certifications are recognized by each buyer rather than assuming one certification applies everywhere. 6. Look for Subcontracting Opportunities Not every business will enter the LA28 supply chain as a prime contractor. Smaller companies can pursue subcontracting, joint ventures and supplier relationships with larger firms that need local partners, specialized expertise or diverse vendors to fulfill major agreements. 7. Use Free Procurement Assistance ProcureLA provides eligible Los Angeles businesses with free procurement education and assistance designed to help companies compete for public- and private-sector contracts. Small Business Development Centers and other local technical-assistance providers can also help owners review financials, refine capability statements and assess contract readiness. The Starting Gun Has Already Fired The Olympic flame will not arrive in Los Angeles until 2028, but the business opportunity has already begun. For local entrepreneurs, the next two years should be treated as a preparation period: strengthening operations, building relationships, securing capital and becoming visible to the institutions and prime contractors that will help deliver the Games. JPMorganChase has the scale, resources and Los Angeles presence to play a meaningful role in that preparation. The firm serves more than five million customers and approximately 589,000 small-business clients across Greater Los Angeles, supported by more than 330 branches and 6,000 employees. The opportunity now is to translate that reach—and LA28’s supplier goals—into measurable contracts, jobs and long-term business growth across Los Angeles. The world is coming to the city. Los Angeles businesses should be ready when it arrives.
The third-generation, Black-owned business has turned a family recipe into a West Coast enterprise—while remaining rooted in the community that helped it grow. By Urban Business Journal Staff For 70 years, the ovens at 27th Street Bakery have produced more than sweet potato pies. They have helped sustain a family legacy, create neighborhood jobs and preserve an important piece of Black business history in South Los Angeles. Located at 2700 South Central Avenue, the third-generation, Black-owned bakery is celebrating seven decades in business—a milestone few small businesses ever reach. Best known for its homemade sweet potato and pecan pies, 27th Street Bakery has grown from a neighborhood favorite into what the company describes as the largest manufacturer of sweet potato pies on the West Coast. From Southern Roots to a Los Angeles Landmark The business began during the 1930s when Harry and Sadie Patterson opened a restaurant along Central Avenue, then the cultural and commercial heart of Black Los Angeles. The Pattersons brought Southern recipes and traditions with them, creating food that offered Los Angeles’ growing Black community a familiar taste of home. In 1956, the family converted the restaurant into a specialty bakery producing sweet potato pies, fruit pies, cakes and other desserts. That transformation established the business now known as 27th Street Bakery. The next generation assumed leadership in 1980, when the founders’ daughter, Alberta Cravin, and grandson, Gregory Spann, took over the operation. Today, the bakery is led by sisters Denise Cravin-Paschal and Olympic gold medalist Jeanette Bolden-Pickens, along with Bolden-Pickens’ husband, Al Pickens. Five additional family members are reportedly involved in the business, continuing a tradition of shared ownership and responsibility. More Than a Bakery The bakery’s longevity is especially significant because of where it stands. Central Avenue was once home to a thriving collection of Black-owned hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and professional offices. As Los Angeles changed and families dispersed into other neighborhoods, many of those businesses disappeared. 27th Street Bakery remained. Its presence represents both economic endurance and cultural preservation. Across several generations, the company has provided employment, stability and a trusted gathering place for neighborhood residents. The bakery has also learned how to grow without abandoning its roots. Customers can still walk into the Central Avenue storefront and purchase fresh pastries, but the company now accepts online orders, offers nationwide shipping through Goldbelly and provides local delivery through services including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates. The company was also selected as an approved supplier for the Super Bowl LVI Business Connect program—an initiative that identified qualified, diverse Los Angeles-area companies to compete for contracting opportunities connected to the event. That combination of tradition, distribution and supplier readiness offers a valuable lesson for other community-based businesses: longevity often depends on preserving what customers love while continually developing new ways to reach them. Seventy Years—and Still Growing In recognition of the anniversary, 27th Street Bakery is offering slices of sweet potato pie for 70 cents on select Saturdays through October 31, according to reporting from LA Local. The promotion is more than an anniversary special. It is an invitation for Los Angeles residents to support a business that has supported its community for generations. At a time when many independent restaurants and neighborhood businesses are struggling with rising costs, changing consumer habits and increased competition, reaching the 70-year mark is an extraordinary achievement. It demonstrates the power of family succession, a trusted product, community loyalty and the willingness to adapt. The Business Lesson The story of 27th Street Bakery offers several practical lessons for entrepreneurs hoping to build companies that last: Build around a signature product. The bakery became widely recognized for one distinctive offering—its homemade sweet potato pie. Protect the brand’s story. Its history and family recipe are not simply sentimental details; they are competitive advantages that distinguish the company from mass-market producers. Prepare the next generation. Leadership has successfully transferred through three generations, allowing the company to preserve family ownership. Expand how customers can buy. Nationwide shipping, online ordering and delivery platforms have taken the bakery beyond the geographic limitations of its storefront. Pursue supplier opportunities. Certification and participation in procurement programs can expose established small businesses to larger contracts and new institutional customers. Remain connected to the community. The company’s enduring relationship with South Los Angeles has created a level of loyalty that advertising alone cannot purchase. For entrepreneurs throughout Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and beyond, 27th Street Bakery is proof that a neighborhood business can preserve its identity, expand its reach and build an enterprise capable of outliving its founders. Seventy years later, the family is still baking—and Los Angeles is still showing up for another slice. Support This Legacy Business 27th Street Bakery 2700 S. Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90011 Tuesday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. 323-233-3469 Order or learn more at 27thStreetBakery.com This story was inspired by the CBS Los Angeles report celebrating the bakery’s 70th anniversary . Additional historical information was verified through the 27th Street Bakery , the Los Angeles Conservancy and LA Local .
