Community Food Resource Center
VISION:
Improve community food security for the people of Pima County by promoting, demonstrating, advocating for, and collaboratively building an equitable and regional food system, which supports food production and strengthens communities.
DEFINITION:
Community Food Security is when all people, at all times have fair access to sufficient and healthy food for a successful life.
WHAT WE DO:
The Food Resource Center supports community organizations, schools and individuals in becoming more food secure through:
EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY
Child Nutrition Programs: We address hunger from infancy to adulthood through numerous programs that fill in the gaps where schools, food stamps and other assistance programs leave off.
Economic Literacy: The Community Food Bank Teaches an Economic Literacy Curriculum to immigrants with low incomes in Family Literacy Classrooms.
Family Advocacy and Legal Aid: Education and advocacy with families, agencies, faith institutions, and community groups on federal and state food programs and other community services to increase peoples well-being.
FOOD PRODUCTION AND DESERT GARDENING EDUCATION
Nuestra Tierra Demonstration and Market Garden: A 7,000 square foot garden on the northwest corner of the Food Bank grounds. The garden is managed organically with two 10′ X 10′ compost bins, a 15′ X 15′ greenhouse, and a spacious hen house. The garden demonstrates and promotes desert food production methods and provides a peaceful place for all.
Home Gardening: Assistance is provided to people to grow some of their own food and meet peoples’ existing motivation with the knowledge and materials to be a successful gardener in the Sonora Desert. Compost, seeds, and starter plants are provided as available.
Gardening Workshops: Through hands-on activities and conversations, learn the basics of designing and caring for a new garden in our desert climate.
Marana Farm: A 25 acre urban production and education farm which is a part of Marana’s Heritage River Park. The farm uses drip irrigation and organic methods to grow vegetables, annual fruits, herbs and flowers. The Farm welcomes youth and adults for volunteer and educational opportunities.
Gleaning: Harvesting, primarily during citrus season (January thru April), of fruits and vegetables from area homes, schools, farms, and the University of Arizona for distribution to Food Bank customers.
FARMERS’ MARKETS: HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS
1660 W. Ruthrauff Rd.|When: Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month
from 9AM-12 PM
Located at El Pueblo Learning Center on the SW corner of Irvington Rd and S. 6th Ave
Saturdays year-round from 9 am-Noon.
- Community Food Bank Farmers’ Market
Community Food Bank
3003 S. Country Club Road, Tucson
Between Ajo and 36th Street on Country Club
Tuesdays year-round from 8 am-12 noon.
Northeast Corner at Speedway Blvd and Riverview
Between the Arizona School for Deaf and Blind and El Rio Neighborhood Center
When: Thursdays, year-round
October-April, 3-6 p.m.
May-September, 4-7 p.m.
Closed December
13395 N. Marana Main Street at the new Marana Health Center. Directions from Tucson are: take I-10 to the Marana exit; turn left at the end of the ramp; go approximately 1.5 miles and turn left on Barnett; then turn left into the Marana Municipal Complex. The Farmer’s Market is on the patio on the southeast side of the building.
Starting September 6th: Tuesdays, 3 pm- 6 pm
Community Foods Consignment: An opportunity for home gardeners and small farmers to sell their produce and other locally produced food products (honey, eggs, etc.) on consignment at the Farmers’ Markets.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
WHAT OTHERS DO:
Here is some additional information from many organizations on the topic of community food security.
1. World Hunger Year: Food Security Learning Center: articles, policy and program examples, more links
2. Community Food Security Coalition: information sharing, technical assistance and networking among organizations working to achieve community food security. Great links page!
3. The Food Project: Massachusetts-based organization that works with youth on building sustainable agricultural systems.
4. The Food Trust: organization working in Philadelphia on nutrition education, local food marketing and policy initiatives.
5. Community Farm Alliance: community-organizing organization in Kentucky that works to connect farmers with the community and work towards food, land and economic justice
6. The Center for Food and Justice at Occidental College’s Urban and Environmental Policy Institute: research, education, and capacity-building around local food systems.
7. FoodShare Toronto: a vast array of programs, research, training and technical assistance around improving access to affordable and healthy food. Great resources in the learning center!
8. Pima County Community and Economic Development: For more information on Pima County’s residents, click on the link and view the power point presentations under each service area.
9. The Partnership to End Childhood Hunger has launched an online community through Change.org
