Fresh food for phoenix will utilize sun produce cooperative S 35 years of experience and multiple connections to improve food systems and local food access, consumption of local food, and distribution…

This $615,142.57 federal Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (CFDA 10.175) will enable Sun Produce Cooperative to expand its community-supported agriculture (CSA) program from 250 to 500 subscribers by 2027, with a focus on increasing access to locally-sourced food in low-income and low-food access areas of the Phoenix metropolitan region. The project aims to increase sales by 100% for 42 small, local farmers, including 36% beginning farmers and 29% Black, Indigenous, or Persons of Color, who are members of the cooperative. Additionally, the grant will support marketing efforts to promote Sun Produce Cooperative and local food consumption.

Fresh food for phoenix will utilize sun produce cooperative S 35 years of experience and multiple connections to improve food systems and local food access, consumption of local food, and distribution in the phoenix metropolitan area. Phoenix is the largest city in arizona with a population of 1,608,190 (2020 census) and the greater metropolitan area, including mesa, tempe, and chandler, is nearly 5 million, meaning the potential to increase consumers of local food is tremendous. The proposed project will increase markets for 42 small farmers in the region, expand the CO-OP S CSA program from the current 250 to 500 subscribers by year three, and promote sun produce cooperative and local food through a marketing campaign. The fresh food for phoenix CSA expansion will target low INCOME low access areas, focusing on reaching families at elementary schools.beneficiaries: sales for small, local farmers will increase by 100% by year three, as a result of doubling the CSA subscribers, benefiting 42 farmers. Of those, 36 are current sun produce cooperative members, with 36% beginner farmers and 29% black, indigenous, or person of color (BIPOC). CSA locations to be added will target title 1 (low-INCOME) schools and or areas of low food access. Of the current nine CSA sites, five are located in low INCOME low access areas. Of the 500 subscribers to be reached by year three, an estimated 250 will be residents of low INCOME low access areas.