The 2015 Phoenix General Plan, entitled PlanPHX included the Goal: Promote the growth of a healthy, affordable, secure and sustainable food system that makes healthy food available to all Phoenix residents. To meet this goal, the Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) partnered with several organizations and other governmental entities to collect baseline information about the food system, food access, and related health data. Extensive community and stakeholder engagement was initiated in 2018 and continues. The result of this research and outreach was the development of the City's first food action plan.
The 2025 Phoenix Food Action Plan (PDF), Plan de Acción Alimentario 2025, was adopted by city council on March 4, 2020. OEP and many other food system stakeholders collaborated on the implementation of the food action plan. The Plan contains five goals, each with several strategies and recommended actions.
All people living in Phoenix should have enough to eat and have access to affordable, healthy, local, and culturally appropriate food.
Strategy 1: Incorporate agriculture, food processing, and distribution into existing and future land use plans with an initial focus on designated food desert areas. Collaborate with key partners to facilitate new opportunities for urban-scale gardens, farms, gleaning, and distribution systems.
Strategy 2: Use existing or develop new financial resources for food production and infrastructure.
Businesses that produce, process, distribute, and sell local and healthy food should be recognized as integral to the economy and encouraged to grow and thrive in Phoenix.
Strategy 2: Incorporate agriculture, food processing, and distribution into existing and future economic development plans.
Strategy 4: Partner with stakeholders to support and promote a Buy Local Food campaign.
Growing food in Phoenix and the region should be easy and valued whether for personal use or for business.
Strategy 1: Update codes and ordinances where appropriate to eliminate barriers and encourage developing a healthy food infrastructure.
Strategy 2: Explore development of agriculture community land trusts and/or preservation mechanisms.
Strategy 3: Explore the utilization of city of Phoenix owned parcels as opportunities for urban agriculture, focused on food deserts within irrigation district.
Food-related waste should be prevented, reused, or recycled. Sustainable food production practices that maintain a healthy environment are desired.
Strategy 1: Update codes and ordinances to clarify food waste diversion, i.e., composting opportunities.
Strategy 2: Support and promote methods to prevent edible food from entering the waste stream.
Develop policies and actions that address local and global challenges posed by climate change, urbanization, political and economic crises, population growth, and other factors.
Strategy 2: Convene local food producers with city staff, leaders, and elected officials to build trust and understanding.
In town for the SuperBowl? Find out where to eat local!
Phoenix: Lets Eat Local! is a campaign that celebrates the connection between Phoenix residents and the makers, growers, and advocates building stronger food systems in our local food communities. It is an invitation for residents to learn about our local food communities, celebrate our diverse food pathways, and help our local food businesses become more resilient and robust for ourselves and for future generations.
Click on the button below to find local food near SuperBowl events in Downtown Phoenix:
Find local food in other Phoenix neighborhoods:
South Phoenix Local Foods, Local Places Project
In 2018, the City of Phoenix received a technical assistance grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Local Foods, Local Places program. In partnership with the community and institutional partners, a South Phoenix Food Action Plan was developed. There are community engagement events coming up. See our Food System Info page for more information.
