BACKGROUND: HOW THE ARIZONA FOOD SYSTEMS NETWORK WENT FROM VISION TO REALITY

It takes a village to make a meaningful difference.

Our state is full of individuals and organizations that are passionate about creating healthy, sustainable, and equitable food systems across Arizona. This report features what these organizations are doing, and how a collaborative statewide network will help improve food systems in communities across the state.
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Click here or on the image to view and download the report. 

food system 
/fo͞od ˈsistəm/

noun
A food system is the path that food travels from fields to your fork, and all the components that are a part of that path. Government policies affect the food system, production practices influence it, and our nutrition plays a role too.

STRUCTURE AND PURPOSE

The Arizona Food Systems Network is a community of local, state and regional food systems advocates, practitioners and leaders who have a vested interest in collaborating to improve the food system for all Arizonans. Members, representing individuals, organizations and/or local coalitions, come together to deepen their connections, knowledge and expertise towards actionable solutions. ​

SPECIFIC ROLE OF THE NETWORK
• Provide a space for local groups and coalitions to network with one another
• Increase information sharing and lessons learned among members
• Increase understanding of the food systems in Arizona through data-guided discussions
• Identify results and outcomes to collectively work towards
• Build the overall capacity of the network to meet desired results and outcomes
• Connect local groups to policy information, issues, and actions across the state and nation