About The South Bay Food Swap
EST. 2017
The South Bay Food Swap was created to celebrate good food and great community.
We believe in the importance and value of handmade items and meeting our neighbors.
Our events bring together Los Angeles cooks, bakers, brewers, gardeners, and foragers to swap their edible creations, share stories, and develop new friendships.
Founded by a Professional Chef and graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, the SBFS wants to generate a way for people to share, and interact around food, in a non-commercial environment. In turn, we hope to foster a love for the unique craftsmanship and quality products that home artisans and small businesses can share with our community.
With your support and participation, the South Bay Food Swap can thrive and grow.
~ We look forward to meeting you.
FAQ's
WHAT IS A FOOD SWAP?
New to food swapping? No problem! Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about what to bring, how to package it, and what you can expect the day of the swap.
What is a Food Swap?
At a food swap, home cooks, bakers, canners, brewers, gardeners, and foragers get together to trade their homemade and homegrown food items.
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate!
Home bakers/cooks, canners, gardeners, food bloggers, professional chefs, students...pretty much anyone who likes to grow, make, or share food.We have food swappers of all ages and cultures. All participants must be individuals trading goods that they made, grew, or foraged themselves. Some examples of popular food swap items include jams, pickles, salsa or relishes, baked goods, granola, spice mixes, homemade pasta, vegetables or herbs.
The sky is the limit. Think outside of the bakery box!
What can I bring to a Swap?
If it’s edible and you made it from scratch, grew it in your garden, or foraged it, you can bring it. You’ll see it all at food swaps: jams;  jellies;  bread;  jars of soup;  pies;  fudge;  spice mixes; homemade yogurt;  home brewed soda or beer, liquor infusions, lemonade, or kombucha;  homegrown veggies, fruits, or herbs;  salad dressing;  cookies;  homemade potato chips; foraged mushrooms, greens, or berries. If you can think of it, someone has probably swapped it. Have fun… your imagination is the only limitation!
*At certain designated swaps, we will also allow participants to bring homemade beauty products, soaps, or cleansers to swap, as long as they bring something edible to swap, as well.
Do I need to put on my fancy pants and bring something Gourmet?
No! The key words of the day are FUN and COMMUNITY, not STRESS and INTIMIDATION! Just bring what you love to make and share with others. Some people like making a tricked-out, gourmet chutney or to be super crafty with their packaging, and that is awesome. But, swappers also love a simple jar of canned tomatoes, a fresh loaf of bread, or the sugar cookies your Grandma has been making for as long as you can remember. Your ingredients and presentation are your choice.
How much should I bring to swap?
It’s up to you. The more you bring, the more you take home with you. Some people bring multiple jars or containers of one thing, and others bring single portions of several different things.
How big should the portion sizes be?
Again, that’s up to you. Some people find that smaller portions are easier to swap. And, keep in mind that smaller-sized portions (a pint, half-pint, bottle, sandwich bag of cookies, etc.) might result in a more even trade for you. Swaps are usually traded one for one. For example, would you want to trade a 4-oz jar of jam for a full batch of three-dozen cookies? You see what I mean. On the other hand, if you bring a high-ticket item like an entire pie, or a six-pack of home brewed soda, other swappers will probably be very interested in swapping with you, and you’ll have a good bargaining tool to get other things that interest you. You can always offer multiples of smaller items for pricier or big ticket items. Do what makes the most sense for you and your pantry.
How should I package and label my food?
The most important thing is that items are packaged so they don’t leak or fall apart easily. If you bring something in a bottle or jar, write on the jar or affix a label so the recipient can identify the item after they leave the swap. (If you canned something, please include the date so the recipient knows how long it will last in the pantry.) For things like cookies, brownies, fudge, etc., consider using a paper plate or tray, plastic bags, or a box. Homemade bread can be packaged easily with parchment paper and string. And if you bring something stand alone (like zucchini from your garden), lucky you! No packaging necessary. * Note: If you have something that needs to remain cool during the swap, please bring it in a cooler. Refrigeration will not be available at the swap. The packaging is up to you. Some people really enjoy being creative with packaging, and others just use a sharpie and label the item that way. You’re the boss of you!
Do I need to bring money?
Remember, no money is changing hands. All swaps are by barter only.
*We do, on occasion, have items available for purchase from our various host locations. More information about this will be sent in your Welcome e-mail.
**We ,also, accept monetary donations to help offset the costs of running the food swap, such as printing costs,venue costs and other swap necessities. Items sold in our online shop will also help to defer swap costs. Your support will help us to keep our events FREE for attendance.
How does a Swap work?
You must be registered in advance to participate in the swap. Watch the website, and our social media, for notification of registration. Sign up is through Eventbrite. Unfortunately, we cannot allow walk-ins on the day of the swap.
Swaps will be auction style. Each swapper will use a bid sheet to write the name of the item(s) they brought, with several blank lines below it. The blank lines are there for other swappers to indicate their interest in your item. These sheets are available to print, here on our site.
The first thirty minutes will be devoted to sign-in, set-up, and greetings.
The next thirty minutes will be the time for swappers to walk around and view and sample items from other swappers.
Then, we’ll take thirty minutes to do the ‘bidding,’ which just means this is when you go around and write your name on the bid sheets of the items that interest you. Example: Jane brought some pickles I love. I brought pear jam to swap. I write on Jane’s sheet that I would like to trade one jar of my pear jam for one jar of her pickles.
The final thirty minutes are when the actual swapping occurs. Everyone will go back to find their bid sheets and look at the offers. They will decide which swap offers they would like to accept for each item, and then find that person to make the swap. (Everyone will be wearing name tags.)
PLEASE NOTE: This is just a guideline of how the swapping part will work. Experienced swappers from other cities report that things get kind of crazy and super fun when the actual swapping begins, because, although the bid sheets serve as general guidelines, once people start chatting and trading with each other, the swapping becomes a bit more spontaneous.
Does signing someone’s bid sheet guarantee I’ll get the item?
No. Bid sheets are just the starting point for trading when the swap begins.
What if I’m not interested in an offer made on my bid sheet? How do I avoid making someone uncomfortable or hurting their feelings?
We will emphasize at the start of the swap that people are not obligated to accept all of the offers that are made, and other swappers shouldn’t take this personally. There are lots of reasons someone may not be interested in another swappers item, including allergies, food sensitivities, personal taste preferences, etc. But experiences have shown that there are so many food choices at a swap, everyone will leave happy anyway. Although food is such a personal thing, everyone at the swap is there because they appreciate good, homemade or homegrown food. (And those same people are generally pretty adventurous, and interested in trying new things!)
What else should I bring other than the items I want to swap?
Be sure to bring a bag or box so you can transport your newly acquired items home with you. You will also need a pen and any kitchen items or utensils that you need for your samples and to clean up your area. Most venues will have tables for our swap items. If you will be required to bring anything else, you will be notified at the time of registration.
Why do I need a ticket to swap if the event is free and open to the public?
Although anyone can participate, the South Bay Food Swap is still a private event. There are a limited number of reservations available. Should we meet capacity before you get a ticket, we will offer you a spot on our wait list. Please be courteous and try to avoid last minute cancellations and no-shows. We ask that you please give at least one weeks notice, so we may contact and offer the spot to someone on our wait list. Participants with a history of late cancellations and no-shows will not be able to participate in future SBFS activities. Participants will be updated on the estimated number of attendees, so that they may plan accordingly.
How can I help?
We could always use a few volunteers, at each event, to help with set up, check ins, and clean up. And we are always in need of a good swap location. If you have a location or know of someone who is interested in donating their space and hosting our group You can reach us via email at: southbayfoodswap@gmail.com
Like and follow us on our social media accounts, and tell all of your friends, family, and neighbors about us. This will help keep our Food Swap thriving.