New Robert Vargas Fairoaks Burger Mural Uplifts Fire-Ravaged Altadena

Mural Unveiling: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 10:00 AM

Latest work by famed L.A. muralist celebrates restaurant and nonprofit’s efforts to provide fresh produce, bread, eggs and staples for those impacted by the California wildfires or otherwise experiencing food insecurity

Food for Health, a free nutritious food distribution program of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and Fairoaks Burger, a beloved Altadena eatery and landmark that miraculously survived the January wildfires, are honored to announce the unveiling of a new mural by world renowned Los Angeles muralist Robert Vargas to be unveiled Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 AM in Altadena, California.

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World-renowned Los Angeles muralist Robert Vargas stands in front of a section of one of his previous murals, titled “Nourish the Soul,” which celebrates AHF's Food for Health program – a free, nutritious fresh food distribution program created by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Vargas will unveil his latest mural partnership with Food for Health and Altadena's Fairoaks Burger on Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 am. (Photo: Mark Von Holden/AP Content Services for AIDS Healthcare Foundation)

Vargas’ mural celebrates the resilience of the Altadena community and Fairoaks Burger and their ongoing partnership with Food for Health to alleviate hunger in the fire-ravaged community.

"In the wake of the fires, we saw what true community looks like," said Carlos Marroquin, National Director for AHF’s Food for Health Program. "This mural reflects the spirit of hope, survival, and the ongoing commitment to serve our neighbors with dignity and care."

“It is an incredible honor for us to have Fairoaks Burger used as one of Robert’s iconic canvases and as a reflection of our longstanding presence in the community,” said sisters Janet and Christy Lee, owners of Fairoaks Burger. “More importantly, it would bring attention to our collective efforts to build Altadena back better while preserving our distinct neighborhood culture. We sincerely appreciate being considered for this opportunity and will strive to continue to make FOB a cornerstone of Altadena going forward.”

In early March, in a gracious show of solidarity, the Lee sisters and Fairoaks Burger began partnering with AHF’s Food for Health in the free weekly farmers’ markets hosted in the restaurant’s parking lot. The joint effort provides vital support to those struggling to access healthy, nutritious food in one of the most expensive cities in the country, especially for those now facing housing and financial challenges following the devastating Eaton Wildfire. The heavily damaged eatery survived the fire but needed, and has successfully undergone significant remediation, and is now set to reopen for business Saturday, June 14.

About Food for Health

AHF kicked off its Food for Health program in 2021 to provide free access to fresh produce, bread, eggs, and other staples in response to rising food insecurity among individuals, families, veterans, and the elderly. In 2023, it opened a weekly food pantry in a vacant storefront space at AHF’s Sinclair Hotel—also site of a new Robert Vargas mural unveiled in April—offering free high-quality groceries and produce from local farms.

Following January’s Southern California wildfires, Food for Health and AHF were among those first on the scene starting January 8, 2025, both at the Pasadena Convention Center and serving the Palisades Wildfire Command Center on Santa Monica Beach, where first responders transported hot meals up to firefighters on the front lines. Over the following weeks, Food for Health provided over 60,000 hot meals to fire evacuees following the Eaton Fire as well as and additional 15,000 hot meals to first responders in Pacific Palisades.

Food for Health’s free weekly Community Farmers’ Market at Fairoaks Burger takes place Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

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