The Phoenix City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the 2030 Food Action Plan. The five-year plan sets a clear goal: healthy, affordable and culturally relevant food for all Phoenix residents.

Mayor Kate Gallego said the plan will drive real economic change.

“The 2030 Food Action Plan will not only enhance access to fresh, nutritious food, but will also empower entrepreneurs and businesses to expand our food system and reduce waste,” Gallego said. “The City of Phoenix is creating new opportunities to support urban agriculture, promote locally grown food, and strengthen our economy.”

The new plan builds on the 2025 Food Action Plan, which the city adopted in March 2020. That plan launched just before COVID-19 disrupted food supply chains nationwide. “Overall, more than 90% of the goals in the plans were completed or are in progress,” Gallego said.

Community Voices Shaped the Plan

More than 2,300 residents helped build the 2030 plan. They took part in a 10-month process that included surveys, focus groups, social campaigns and workshops.

Maddie Mercer, food systems program manager with the city’s Office of Environmental Programs, said residents drove the priorities directly.

“We had residents vote for potential solutions that the city and our community partners could implement together,” Mercer said. “The five categories were: growing food, access to food, buying food, learning about food and getting involved in the food system.”

Local First Arizona, St. Mary’s Food Bank, Creighton Community Foundation and Pinnacle Prevention all spoke in support of the plan. Speakers called on the council to make cross-sector collaboration a priority.

Equity and Urgency

Federal SNAP benefit cuts have hit thousands of Arizonans hard. Food insecurity has persisted since the pandemic. Both factors made Tuesday’s vote more urgent.

Council Member Hernandez of District 7 pushed city staff on equity. He asked how Phoenix will reach residents most shut out of the food system.

“How can we engage those communities that are most impacted to provide them with the most education and support around access to food?” Hernandez said.

The 2030 plan targets those gaps directly. It calls for expanded education and training, zoning updates to support urban agriculture, and stronger local food production and procurement. Phoenix’s agricultural heritage runs deep, and the plan aims to build on it — even as the city grows and water pressures mount.

The city broadcasts council meetings live on PHXTV and at phoenix.gov/phxtv.