At 10 a.m. on April 24, a 76-year-old woman surnamed Park laid out a sidewalk stand in front of the bus stop at Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue in LA’s Koreatown—a practice she has kept up for the past six months.
Her setup looks like a mini grocery store, stocked with canned goods, rice, beans, ramen, and vegetables. Commuters passing through the intersection often glance over curiously.
Every item is marked at $1. Some Korean American and non-Korean passersby seem accustomed to the stand, handing over a dollar and picking up food items as needed.
“I received these from a food bank,” said Park. “But I had no choice. I started selling them to survive.”
Regulations Prohibit Food Bank Resale
Food banks are nonprofit organizations that distribute donated food to low-income individuals at no cost. However, some Korean American seniors are illegally reselling these goods, which directly violates food bank policies. Beneficiaries are required to sign agreements stating the items are for personal or family use only and cannot be resold.
Despite this, enforcement remains limited. Jeff Lee, Secretary General of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, explained that food banks do not collect detailed recipient information, making resale enforcement difficult.
“Even though the organizations know some resale is happening, there’s been no firm action taken,” Lee said.
Resale Reflects Senior Poverty in Koreatown
According to Korean American nonprofits, resale of free food bank items has been observed across Koreatown, particularly near Wilshire Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, where seniors set up near subway stations and alleyways.
Some criticize these seniors for violating rules meant to ensure fair distribution. However, others urge a closer look at the poverty crisis among elderly Korean Americans, noting that resale may be a last resort for survival.
Park, who lives in Koreatown, said she opens her stand two to three times per week.
“Even when I sell, I make only a few dozen dollars a day,” she said. “I don’t qualify for low-income subsidies, so this is the only way I can survive.”
Oversight vs. Reality: A Nonprofit Dilemma
Lee said the situation presents a challenge. “We can’t stop food distribution because of a few cases. For some seniors, this is their livelihood. There’s no clear solution.”
Still, others in the community argue that rules must be enforced to protect the integrity of food aid systems.
An anonymous Korean American nonprofit worker noted, “There are quite a few seniors doing this. Some are doing it just for profit, which prevents others in real need from receiving food in time. We need stronger enforcement.”
Data Underscores Crisis Among Korean American Seniors
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate among Asian Americans aged 65 and older is 14.2%. Among Korean American seniors, that figure jumps to 23.2% (2021)—the highest among Asian groups.
A 2023 study by the Asian American Federation (AAF) showed that only 7.8% of Korean American senior households in the LA area receive retirement pensions. This is significantly lower than the general senior household rate (13.5%) and other Asian senior households (18.2%).
The numbers point to a stark reality: many Korean American seniors are left with few options—and some turn to food bank resale, despite the risks and rules.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
