Written by Blake Foley

Natalie Morales’ local restaurant picks

“I have been supporting lots of our local restaurants in our Los Angeles neighborhood like Jon and Vinny’s, the FarmShop, Barney’s Burgers and our grocery stores, Vicente Foods and the Farmers Market.  They have been doing an amazing job of keeping us all well fed with food delivery and carry out and we so appreciate all that our grocery workers are doing to keep their shelves stocked and keeping our homes well supplied.” 

Jon and Vinny’s https://www.jonandvinnys.com/ 

If you’re craving Italian for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this is the place to go!

They’ve also opened an online store where you can get all your restaurant favorites and much more! https://goods.jonandvinnys.com/

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FarmShop http://farmshopca.com/

Established with enthusiasm and passion for detail, Farmshop celebrates farmers and artisan producers who are behind all that we create.  Founded by Chef-Owner Jeff Cerciello, Farmshop is noted for its creativity, innovation and dedication to quality. Join Farmshop’s culinary California road trip through our farmers market driven restaurants and well-edited, highly curated market.  Indulge in Farmshop’s immersive experience and lose yourself in stories told by our chefs, cheesemongers, bakers and butchers.

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Barney’s Burgers https://www.barneyshamburgers.com/

In 1978, we opened our first burger shop in Oakland and introduced our award-winning concept of gourmet hamburgers — yes, we were one of the first! Since then we’ve opened nine other burger restaurants and expanded our menu so that everyone who walks in can find something they’ll love. You can also enjoy burger delivery and pick up so that you can have Barney’s anywhere you go.

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Vicente Foods https://vicentefoods.com/

Our distinctive red and white striped grocery bags carry the motto that inspires all that we stand for: Specializing in Quality and Service!

Whether shopping for weekly groceries or looking for all of the ingredients for a special dinner menu, Brentwood residents and foodies from surrounding neighborhoods come to Vicente Foods where you can find everything on your shopping list. At Vicente Foods the focus is on you, our customer!

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Farmers Market https://farmersmarketla.com/

Fred Beck & Roger Dahlhjelm wanted to build a “Village” at the corner of 3rd & Fairfax where local farmers could sell their fresh fare. E.B. Gilmore agreed to give it a go. In July 1934, a dozen farmers and a few other merchants parked their trucks at the corner of 3rd & Fairfax and sold their fresh produce from the back of the trucks.

Natalie’s charity picks

“I’ve been donating to Food on Foot, a charity that feeds LA’s homeless population and now more than ever their need is greatest. My husband and I also have been long term donors of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Plan USA, Save the Children and many more.. it’s so important to make sure healthcare, social services and food continue to reach these populations who already deal with such adversity.” 

Food on Foot https://www.foodonfoot.org/ 

Food on Foot is a nonprofit dedicated to assisting our homeless and low-income neighbors in Los Angeles with nutritious meals, clothing, and a fresh start through life-skills education, full-time employment, and permanent housing.

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Children’s Hospital Los Angeles https://www.chla.org/

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is a nonprofit institution that provides pediatric health care and helps our patients more than half a million times each year in a setting designed just for their needs. Our history began in 1901 in a small house on the corner of Alpine and Castelar Streets (now Hill St. in Chinatown) and today our medical experts offer more than 350 pediatric specialty programs and services to meet the needs of our patients.

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Plan USA https://www.planusa.org/

For over 80 years, Plan International USA has been part of a global network striving for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe that girls’ rights are human rights. Her dreams are hers to discover. Her potential is hers to uncover. Her future is hers to realize. And her life is hers to live.

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Save the Children https://www.savethechildren.org/

For 100 years, we’ve been giving children in the U.S. and around the world a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We do whatever it takes to save children, transforming their lives and the future we share.

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Working in today’s climate

“I’m still working, but have to do it from home while also home schooling, cooking and cleaning — taking care of my family’s needs. It is challenging working from home especially since I can’t get out and do interviews or shoot segments like I normally do, so I have had to be creative as most have… shooting my own videos and editing as well as conducting interviews vía Zoom.  I look forward to getting back to work but I know things will be different and a bit more challenging for a while. But we must continue to observe the rules established and stay home as long as deemed necessary in order to prevent further spread of the virus. I will say I have never appreciated family time as much as I do now. I keep saying it feels like maternity leave but with no baby to take care of! My advice would be to make the most of this time.. try and learn something new or try something different; the challenge will keep you motivated. Also have a routine: I get up, feed my kids, get them started with school, work on emails and projects, workout, make lunch, then work some more, plan dinner… and then we try to watch a family movie or have a family game of Uno every night, I read then stick to a bed time schedule. Routine is a good thing to have right now as it will keep your spirits up and keep you from dwelling on the fears we may all have. Good luck and be well!”