Phoenix leaders have approved a new long-term strategy designed to improve food access, strengthen the local food economy and promote a more resilient food system over the next five years.
The Phoenix City Council, led by Mayor Kate Gallego, adopted the 2030 Food Action Plan, a roadmap intended to expand access to healthy, affordable and culturally relevant food while supporting local agriculture and food-related businesses.
The plan builds on the city’s 2025 Food Action Plan, which was adopted in early 2020 just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food supply chains across the country. City officials reported that more than 90% of the goals outlined in the earlier plan have either been completed or remain actively underway.
Recognizing Phoenix’s agricultural roots and continued population growth, the updated strategy seeks to balance food security with broader priorities such as economic development and water conservation. The plan outlines ten strategic focus areas aimed at improving the city’s food system and increasing community access to nutritious food options.
Key initiatives include expanding educational and workforce training opportunities, updating planning and zoning regulations to better support food-related projects, encouraging local food production and strengthening procurement efforts that connect consumers with locally grown products.
City leaders also hope the plan will create new opportunities for entrepreneurs, farmers and food businesses while reducing food waste and increasing collaboration among public agencies, nonprofit organizations and private-sector partners.
Development of the plan involved extensive public outreach. According to the city, more than 2,300 residents, business owners, community organizations and stakeholders participated through surveys, workshops, focus groups, events and online engagement efforts.
Officials say the new framework is intended to guide Phoenix’s food policy decisions through 2030 while helping ensure residents have reliable access to nutritious food and a stronger, more sustainable local food economy.
