FEED PHOENIX INITIATIVE

The Feed Phoenix Initiative was a collaborative project from August 2020-January 2023 between Local First Arizona and City of Phoenix utilizing Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollar to bring locally-sourced, nutritious meals to people impacted by COVID-19 and food insecurity in Phoenix. Local restaurants, caterers, and farms worked together to prepare meals using Arizona-grown produce in order to sustain local jobs and supply chains, strengthen the local food economy and, most importantly, provide food accessibility to Phoenicians during the COVID-19 economic, health, and social crises.

Through Feed Phoenix, farms worked directly with a local produce aggregator to supply restaurants with fresh produce to include in meals, as well as create fresh produce bags that were delivered directly to distribution centers or families and individuals being impacted by food access barriers and the pandemic. Participating local businesses like restaurants, catering companies, event venues, and mobile markets took the fresh produce they received and prepared individually boxed meals that were delivered to distribution centers.

To learn more about the program and its impact on the Phoenix food system, please read our most recent 2023 impact report.