Their terraponic system uses collected and then recycled rainwater to grow nutrient-dense food with minimal water. Terraponics uses 20% soil to 80% water and floods from the bottom of the planter and then water drains back to a reservoir. Crops may be planted closer together because they are not competing for nutrients. Crop Swap LA distributes the fresh produce in their community. It also encourages people to grow food on unused front or back yards.

Crop Swap LA began in 2018 as a way to unite Los Angeles gardeners to grow and share their extra veggies, fruits and herbs. The institution's mission has evolved to transforming lawns and unused spaces into microfarms that utilize irrigation systems with harvested rainwater.

Transportation time for produce to reach a traditional market can range from a few days to a few weeks, during which time the produce loses much of its nutritional value. Vitamin C losses, even when produce is refrigerated "..for 7 days range from 15% for green peas to 77% for green beans" – Dr. Diane M Barrett, Maximizing the Nutritional Value of Fruits and Vegetables.