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​​​Phoenix ​Resilient Food System 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 $14.5​​ 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 ​​​379,769 meals using local farmers, restaurants, and caterers since 2020. ​​​    
  • Worker Cooperative Sustainable Food System Business Incubator – This program focuses on developing worker cooperatives for sustainable food business enterprises through a collaboration with Thrive Consultancy Inc. and Arizona State University. 
  • Agri-Food Tech Innovation Grant – This grant allocated ​$600,000 to support the growth and establishment of seven food system entrepreneurs and innovative food businesses within the Phoenix area.
  • Agrivoltaics Pilot Project – Initiating in the fall/winter 2023, this pilot will use funds for a sustainable, resilient food production project that incorporates solar energy and water efficiency.
  • Agri-Food Technology Incubator Project​ –​ Developing start-ups in Phoenix that are focused on solutions for agriculture and other aspects of the food system in consideration of climate, economic, and population growth challenges in winter 2023.​
Equity and Inclusion 
  • Funds to Feed Phoenix​ – This program is a continuation of the CRF-funded program that provides funding for community and grassroots org​anizations and school districts. LISC Phoenix manages this program and has ​​​delivered ​over five million meals since 2020. 
  • Phoenix Urban Agriculture Fellowship – This initiative offers one-year fellowships to residents aged 18-34, fostering collaborations with local food producers. Sixty percent of these fellowships is dedicated to participants from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities. 
  • Council District Food Action Plans or Initiatives – The program provides $500,000 to council districts with food deserts, high food insecurity and hunger rates to identify specific projects or initiatives that are needed within the district. Funds have gone toward schools, community gardens, farms, entrepreneurs, and the Phoenix Urban Agriculture Fellowship.

  • Food Waste and Composting Education P​roject​ – Forty percent of US food is wasted, costing a family $1,500 yearly. This one-year program offers City of Phoenix residents in food deserts and COVID-19-affected areas education, training, and compost services to reduce food waste. Participants learn practical tips like smarter shopping, food storage, meal planning, and composting.​​​

Local Food Consumption/Production 
  • Backyard Garden Program​​​ – Provides grant funding for up to 270 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 is used to provide resources for local food banks and food pantries to provide food and other resources for struggling families. Since concluding this program in August 2023, St. Mary's Food Bank delivered 53,932 pounds of produce from local farms to 43,563 Phoenix households. Staff ensured 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 

  • Food System Transformation Grant –​ In 2023, OEP awarded $800,000 to 10 small businesses within the City’s food system​ to implement projects designed to transform th​e City’s food system into a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, healthy, and thriving system.​
  • Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Grant – Provided $230,000 to six private and non-profit farms​ interested in implementing projects accelerating the transition toward a resilient, sustainable, equitable, and thriving food system.

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