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F​ood Resources

​Many organizations are working to provide food for our community. 

Find a food bank near you.​​

You're asked to call ahead to check hours and availability. Parents and caregivers can also text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 to find the nearest sites. ​​Locate Maricopa County School Food Distribution Sites or access St. Mary's Mobile Food Pantries information. ​​

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)​​
WIC is a year-round program from Public Health which provides healthy food to pregnant and nursing mothers, as well as infants and children up to five years old.​
Additional Food Resources

To find additional food system resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit Pinnacle ​​Pre​vention. 

Local Food Resources & Organizations

Support Arizona Farmers as they work tirelessly to grow and transport the good food we need to keep nourished and healthy. Many farmers markets remain open (with extra precautions), and several farms & local food retailers are offering delivery & curbside pick-up! ​​​

Resources:

Find Local Food Delivery and Farmers Markets

The Arizona Good Food Finder is a website run by Local First Arizona that includes local food events and a directory of farmers markets, caters, restaurants, and other businesses that source food locally. 

Farmers Markets & Specialty Markets in the Greater Phoenix Area

Arizona Community Farmers Markets lists information about farmers markets around the valley.

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Organizations:​


MarCo is a voluntary community organization advocating for the regeneration and advancement of the local food system in Maricopa County, AZ. The Coalition is made up of a broad cross section of members interested in improving the local food system. The group includes representatives from agriculture, health, food access, processing, community, and policy.
Arizona Food Systems Network (AZFSN)
 The AZFSN is a community of local, state and regional food systems advocates, practitioners and leaders who have a vested interest in collaborating to improve the food system for all Arizonans. 
Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona is a nonprofit organization that celebrates independent, locally owned businesses. They support, promote and advocate for a strong local business community and raise public awareness of the economic and cultural benefits provided by strong local economies.

​​Growing F​ood

Gardening:


Guide for Creating a Community Garden in Phoenix

Interested in creating a community garden? Start here: Phoenix Community Garden Policies Guide.

Check out seeds from the Phoenix Public Library​

Need seeds for your garden? The Phoenix Public Library allows you to "check out" seeds from their seed bank. 

Map of current Seed Libraries, School Gardens and Community Gardens in Maricopa County​

The University of Arizona Extension created a​​ map of current Seed Libraries, School Gardens and Community Gardens in Maricopa County.​

G​et Involved With the Community Gardeners of Maricopa County

Community Gar​deners of Maricopa County is a collaborative group of community gardeners focused on strengthening and creating community spaces for growing healthy, organic, local and affordable food.
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Urban Farming

Mesa Community College Center for Urban Agriculture

Find information about the Center for Urban Agriculture and ​its degree and certificate programs, faculty members, upcoming events, and more. 

Learn About Small-scale Aquaponic Food Production​

​This technical paper introduces the concept of aquaponics, main theoretical concepts of aquaponics, and methods of unit design, including the three main methods of aquaponic systems: media beds, nutrient film technique, and deep water culture. 

Urban Farming Workbook 
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The Urban Farming WorkBook provides an overview of key concepts and innovations, as well as resources and toolkits. Topics covered range from starting an urban agriculture enterprise to the community benefits of urban farms.


Reducing Food Waste

ASU Waste Watchers: Info on Food Waste and Methods to Reduce Food Waste​

ASU 'waste watchers' in​fo​rmation is a compilation of infographics, videos, and other media intended to educate the public on food waste and methods to reduce food waste. For example, the site includes information on the proper storage of different types of produce to increase shelf life.

The Phoenix Green Business Directory lists businesses that have committed to sustainable business practices, like diverting waste from the landfill and conserving water.

​Food Related Reports​​​

​​Contributions of the Agriculture Sector to the City of Phoenix and Metro Area Economies 

This study aims to quantify the economic contribution of agricultural production to the Phoenix metro area and the city of Phoenix, emphasizing the importance of local food systems, sustainability, and access to fresh food sources. It builds upon a previous 2018 study and focuses on on-farm activities, with an expanded geographic scope including Pinal County. ​​
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Building Community Networks Through Community Foods

This report by MarCo aims to articulate the existing assets, needs, and opportunities for supporting actors and processes within the Local Food Supply Network, as well as build a comprehensive understanding of the relationships, connections, shared values, and motivations that drive community food system efforts outside of the work underway by well-known Food Access Organizations.​​

2018 Economic Contributions of Agriculture Study

This report is by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics of the Cooperative Extension at the University of Arizona. This study provides an estimate of the economic contribution of on-farm agriculture to the Maricopa County economy, as well as an estimate of the regional economic contribution of agricultural activity taking place within the Gila River Indian Community​