# The Olympian baking for LA28

> Jeanette Bolden-Pickens wants her historic South LA bakery in the Olympic Village when the Games return to Los Angeles.
- Title: The Olympian baking for LA28 · California Post | Shortify
- Summary: Jeanette Bolden-Pickens wants her historic South LA bakery in the Olympic Village when the Games return to Los Angeles. LA28 could give small local…
- Keywords: jeanette bolden-pickens, 27th street bakery, la28, los angeles, south la, 2028 olympics, small businesses, olympic village, sweet potato pie, 1984 olympics, 4x100 relay, ralphs
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/business/1984-track-champ-preps-south-la-bakery-for-2028-olympics
- Published: 2026-09-15T20:08:28+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: jeanette bolden-pickens, 27th street bakery, la28, los angeles, south la, 2028 olympics, small businesses, olympic village, sweet potato pie, 1984 olympics, 4x100 relay, ralphs
## LA28 meets South LA
Jeanette Bolden-Pickens sees the 2028 Olympics as a once-in-a-generation opening for neighborhood businesses like her 27th Street Bakery.

> We have a tremendous opportunity with LA28.
## A huge local prize
A new analysis says the Games could bring $20.5 billion to $40.6 billion in output across Greater LA and support up to 224,000 jobs.
## Contracts stay close
LA28 has pledged to spend 75% of contract dollars in Greater LA, with 25% reserved for small businesses.
## She wants in
Bolden-Pickens wants her family’s pies served where the world will gather, including the Olympic Village.

> Why can’t my products be right there in the Olympic Village?
## Vendors can apply
LA28 has opened food vendor applications for competition and non-competition venues. Hundreds of vendors are expected to be selected.

> Just give us an opportunity
## Training the kitchen
She is preparing the bakery with the same discipline she once brought to the track, pushing the pies to be ready for 2028.

> I’m trying to put my products into a position where it’s the best that it could possibly be
## Gold on home turf
At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, she won gold in the women’s 4x100 relay before a hometown crowd that included her family.

> I’m here for a job
## A family anchor
After growing up in Compton, studying at Fullerton College, CSUN and UCLA, and coaching for 27 years, the bakery stayed central to her life.

> The bakery’s always been a part of my life and my whole family’s life
## Recipes from Louisiana
Her grandparents, Harry and Sadie Patterson, came west with family recipes in 10 tin cans and built a Central Avenue spot known for pies and cakes.
## Built by warm pies
The bakery grew after her mother won over Ralphs executives by passing around fresh pies. Today it supplies more than 120 stores and restaurants.

> After that, it was over. We were in Ralphs
## Legacy in a slice
If Olympians visit during the Games, Bolden-Pickens knows the order: a fresh slice of sweet potato pecan pie from 27th Street Bakery.

> We put the home back in homemade.
## Key takeaway

LA28 could give small local businesses a rare global stage, if they apply early and prepare like the moment is theirs to win.