Food Access and Distribution
A strong food system requires increasing food distribution capacity across Arizona. Food distributors serve as the link between those who produce the food and those who sell and consume the food. Food access and distribution are critical elements to address in our efforts to achieve a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community food system for Arizona.
The food access and distribution priority area has three objectives. Explore the indicators we are tracking for each objective below. The stages of change model is used to describe the progress on each objective of the food action plan.
We are asking AZFSN partners to help us gather and collect data across the state to help track and monitor the progress of the food action plan.
Objective 1:
Increase local food production by 5%
Status: Action
Description: AZFSN will partner with Local First Arizona and use Good Food Finder to track the number local food producers selling their goods locally via farmers markets, farm-to-institution, and programs such as Friends of the Farm, Double Up Food Bucks, the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Purchase Local Arizona, and others.
Data Source: Good Food Finder, the largest database of Arizona producers that are selling into local markets in the state.
Objective 2:
Collectively accumulate at least $3 million in state and/or federal funding to support infrastructure for food distribution (e.g., infrastructure money to support transportation, refrigeration, storage, road conditions and technology).
Status: Maintenance
Description: AZFSN will track funding accumulated by food producers, organizations, or state agencies from grant dollars through USDA programs; state, county, or municipality general fund investments; or philanthropic endeavors that are designated to support infrastructure for food distribution.
Data Source: Data reported from AZFSN coalitions, partners, and members, and gleaned from funding announcements such as USDA grant award summaries.
Objective 3:
Ensure equity in 100% of all food access and distribution policy initiatives passed in Arizona.
2023: 100%
Of the 12 state legislative issues tracked during the 2023 Arizona State Legislative session, 100% addressed food system equity.
Status: Preparation
Description: Food access and distribution related bills that are introduced during the state legislative session and supported by AZFSN will be assessed using an equity screening tool.
Data Source: # of bills that recieve a positive equity score divided by the total number of bills supported.
