​​​Phoenix ​Resilient Food Systems Program

The Phoenix Resilient Food Systems Program provides​ resources to develop a stronger, connected local food system with more sustainable food options for Phoenix residents. The Phoenix City Council approved over $9 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for food related programs under Economic Development and Innovation, Equity and Inclusion, Local Food Consumption/Production, Food Banks and Pantries Support, Meals That Work, and Resilient Food System. More details for each program can be found below:

Economic Development and Innovation 

• Feed Phoenix Program​ – This program is a continuation of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) funded Feed Phoenix Program. Local First Arizona Foundation managed this program and prepared and delivered more than 80,000 meals using local farmers, restaurants, and caterers.
• Worker Cooperative Sustainable Food System Business Incubator – This program will focus on developing worker cooperatives for sustainable food business enterprises through a collaboration with the private sector and Arizona State University. 
• Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant – This program will provide funding and incentives to encourage food system entrepreneurs and innovative food businesses to expand or locate in Phoenix. 
  

• Funds to Feed Phoenix​ – This program is a continuation of the CRF-funded program that provides funding for community and grassroots organizations and school districts. LISC Phoenix managed this program and delivered 5,165,806 meals.
  
• Phoenix Urban Agriculture Fellowship – Provides funding for a one-year fellowship for high school and college-age students with local food producers with 60% for Black, Indigenous, and persons of color participants. 
  
• Council District Food Action Plans or Initiatives – The program will focus on districts with food deserts, high food insecurity and hunger rates to identify specific projects or initiatives that are needed within the district. 
  

• Food Waste and Composting Education Project​ – Did you know that 40 percent of all food in America is wasted and that a four-person family can lose about $1,500 a year on wasted food? This free, one-year program will provide food waste and composting education, training, and access to a compost service for up to 500 residents living in food deserts and COVID-19-impacted areas in the City of Phoenix. Participants will learn how to decrease food loss and waste through practical and usable tips for your household, such as better food purchasing, storing food practices, meal planning tools, and composting. By adopting better practices, you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint.​

• Backyard Garden Program​​​ – Provides grant funding for up to 178 residents located in food deserts for backyard gardens and community gardens using aquaponics, raised beds, and other wat​er conservative growing methods.

Food Banks and Pantries Support 

• This funding will be used to provide resources for local food banks and food pantries to provide food and other resources for struggling families. Staff will ensure broad engagement with food banks and pantries ensuring outreach and emphasis with smaller community-based food banks and food pantries. 

Meals That Work 

• With Adventura and Waste Not, this program prepared and delivered 36,000 meals from September 2021 to February 2022 to social service organizations, such as St. Vincent de Paul, schools, and more. Fourteen food service employees at the Convention Center were utilized to prepare the meals. 
  

Resilient Food System 

• Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Grant – Provides funds to private and non-profit farms​ interested in implementing projects accelerating the transition toward a resilient, sustainable, equitable, and thriving food system.
• Agri-food Tech and Innovation Grant​​ – Designed to encourage existing entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and sustainable food cooperatives across the entire food system to address challenges associated with climate change by adopting or expanding the use of agri-food technology.
  

ARPA Program Dashboard

​Visit the Phoenix Resilient Food Systems Program Dashboard for expenditure reports, key performance indicator data, and additional program information. 

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Contact Us

Email: phxfood@phoenix.gov