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      Food Systems Overview

      A “food system” is a network of all the processes, people, and resources involved in getting food from the farm to your plate. This encompasses everything from growing, processing, distributing, selling, eating, and even disposing of food, and it includes all the needed inputs (think water, technology, and energy) needed to make these processes happen. The system involves a wide range of participants – including you! Farmers, food processors, distributors, food outlets like restaurants, stores, and markets, consumers, and food recyclers each play a part by growing, moving, preparing, or enjoying food.

      Local food systems are networks of food production, distribution, and consumption that operate within a specific geographic area. The City of Phoenix defines the geographic area of is local food system to be Maricopa County. In local food systems, food is grown and consumed within close proximity. This reduces the distance that food has to travel to get from farm to table, which reduces pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels. It also increases the trust and connectedness between growers and consumers, benefits the local economy by creating local jobs, helps farmers make more on their produce via direct sales, and ensures consumers have a reliable supply of fresh food.

      Map of food deserts in Phoenix

      About Food Deserts​

      ​The term food desert refers to areas with low access to affordable and nutritious food. ​

      Other related terms you may hear in connection with food deserts include the following:

      Food swamps refer t​​o areas where there is a prevalence of fast food and other unhealthy options that are more convenient or affordable than healthy options.

      Food sovereignty refers to the right of peoples to healthy and culturally-appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.

      Food apartheid refers to the fact that the lack of availability of healthy food disproportionately affects communities of color, and whole communities are geographically and economically isolated from healthy food options.

      MAP OF FOOD DESERTS IN PHOENIX: The blue boxes on the map to the right indicate food deserts in Phoenix, specifically, areas where residents must travel 1 or more miles to a grocery store or other supplier of fresh produce. One mile may not seem like a lot but food deserts mainly occur in low-income areas where not all residents have a vehicle, making transportation an added challenge.​

      Map of food deserts in Phoenix

      Cultivating Food Resilience Documentary

      The Cultivating Food Resilience Documentary highlights the impact of the programs implemented by the Office of Environmental Programs through its Resilient Food Systems Initiative. The documentary celebrates the efforts of the City and its community partners as we’ve worked toward the goal of “’healthy food for all."

      Contact Us​

      Email: phxfood@phoenix.gov

      Note when you submit an email it falls under the city's policy which states that the email message is: (1) subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Law, (2) not private or confidential and (3) retained for 90 days.