On Monday, October 24, local foodists can celebrate Food Day, a national initiative pushing for equal access to healthful, affordable food produced in a sustainable, ethical way. Angeleno organizers have banded together to create some great events locally, and after the past few weeks of gluttonous food festivals and Beer Week debauchery, it couldn't hurt to do something slightly more selfless.

The main goal is to demonstrate the need for a thriving food system that promotes access to nutritious food, supports sustainable agriculture and uplifts a new generation of farmers.

“I think that there's a renewed interest in LA regarding where people's food comes from … We have the landscape to feed our country, and I think it's good bring awareness to these issues,” says Joyce Chan, bookeeper for SEE-LA and Atwater Village Farmers Market manager. “It's good to get the kids in Los Angeles to understand what a sweet potato is instead of a Cheeto.”

Several schools throughout LAUSD are hosting school garden events, breakfasts and film screenings promoting healthy eating in honor of Food Day. But there are plenty of off-campus events going on, too. Here are just a few highlighted events happening around town:

Echo Park pre-party: Tomorrow (Friday), the Echo Park Farmers Market will be celebrating its 5 year anniversary. Sure, gentrification has brought hordes of hipsters to the area, but it's also brought access to farm-fresh food for locals. Toast with free carrot cake, a healthy cooking demo using market produce lead by Buena Cocina, a salsa making contest and live music by Marissa Gomez and the Ghosts of Echo Park. Parking Lot #663 on Logan St., south of Sunset Blvd.; 3:00 p.m.‐7:00 p.m.

The Vanishing of the Bees screening: The Hollywood Farmer's Market and the Farmer's Kitchen will screen a flick about colony collapse featuring sustainability guru Michael Pollan at the historic Montalban Theatre. The film will be followed by a Q & A with directors Maryam Henein and George Langworthy, local beekeeper associations and farmers' market apiarists. There'll be wine tasting provided by the Beverly Hills Cheese Shop, and artisanal honey tasting too. Proceeds go to SEE-LA. 1615 North Vine Street, Hollywood; $25 per person; 5:45 p.m.- 7 p.m. reception, 7 p.m.- 8:45 p.m. screening.

Fun times with Food Forward: On Monday, the famed foragers will be hosting a pick out in Granada Hills, and will also be at Occidental College along with the South Central Farmers for some demos and activities. Check their site for more deets JSC Quad, 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock;11:30 a.m.‐1:30 p.m.

Market dinner at Canele: Home to one of our favorite brunches in town, this cozy little Atwater Village restaurant is hosting a farmers market dinner to benefit Food Day. All proceeds from the $35 ticket are donated to the cause. 3219 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; $35; 5:00 p.m.

BLD: This restaurant knows the importance of eating well for breakfast, lunch and dinner–hence the name BLD. They'll be donating some of the proceeds of their family -style farm-to-table dinner to the Los Angeles Food Policy Council. 7450 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; $34 without wine, $45 with pairings; 7:30 p.m.

For a full schedule of events near you, visit the Food Day site and plug in your zip.

Follow the author on Twitter @kristasimmons.

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