The Sustainability Division received a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grant for the development of a comprehensive food systems assessment, innovative food business feasibility study, and Food Action Plan.  The grant was accepted by City Council on September 6, 2022.

The Community Food Systems Assessment (CFSA), funded through the USDA, provides an in-depth review of food systems, food access, and food distribution in Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. This assessment completes the first of three phases of the “Assessing and Growing a Sustainable Community Food System” project.

This informational presentation will share key findings from Phase 1: Comprehensive Food Systems Assessment.

Key Findings from Phase 1: Comprehensive Food Systems Assessment

• Local Food Channels
  • Northern Arizona has experienced a 10% loss in the number of farms and ranches and a 4% loss in agricultural acreage over the last decade.
  • The cost of land is the biggest reported barrier to farming near Flagstaff.
• Food System Infrastructure
  • Limited numbers of food processing facilities
  • 83% of survey respondents who manufacture a food product do so at home versus in a commercial/certified kitchen.
  • 24% of food and farming businesses expressed dissatisfaction with zoning regulations that impact their businesses.
• Food Retail Environment
  • 14% of survey respondents grow, hunt, or fish for their food
  • 26% of survey respondents would buy more local food if it were affordable.
• Food Consumption and Health
  • Northern Arizona shoppers spend 11% of their total consumer spending on food.
  • 66% of food spending is on food consumed at home.
  • 21% of survey respondents report not being able to afford the healthy food they want.
  • The high cost of housing was reported as a barrier to healthy eating.
• Access to Food
  • Food insecurity rates in Northern Arizona are higher than the state average.
  • 14% of residents want more information/knowledge on how to grow their own food.
• Food Waste and Recovery
  • Arizona produces the most food waste in the nation.
  • 5.8 million pounds of food waste is created in Flagstaff and sent to the landfill each year.
  • There are limited options for hot food recovery from restaurants and caterers.
  • 19% of Flagstaff businesses indicated that a composting program would support their business development.

Financial Impact:

There is no financial impact.
 

Policy Impact:

These activities support strategies identified in the Carbon Neutrality Plan targeting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from Flagstaff’s food distribution, encouraging sustainable consumption, building community resilience, improving food security, and implementing climate actions that are equitable. 
 

City Council and PBB Goals

• Sustainable, innovative infrastructure – Utilize existing long-range plans that identify the community’s future infrastructure needs and all associated costs.
• Environmental stewardship – Strengthen Flagstaff’s resilience to climate change impacts on built, natural, economic, health, & social systems
• Robust Resilient Community - Attract employers that provide high quality jobs & have a low impact on infrastructure & natural resources.

 

Regional Plan

Goal E&C.2: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 

Carbon Neutrality Plan

SC-2: Encourage sustainable consumption.
SC-3: Divert more waste from the landfill.
SC-4: Reduce organic waste going to the landfill and reduce food insecurity.
CR-2: Strengthen existing community systems to create resilience to both short-term shocks and long-term change.
ES-2: Proactively engage community members on an ongoing basis.
ES-3: Design targeted climate policies and programs to serve disproportionately impacted communities first.
ES-4: Actively seek to recognize past harms, repair trust, and build deeper relationships with community members.
Housing, Neighborhoods & Equity: “Research has shown that neighborhoods can be a good predictor of health. Therefore, it is imperative to place housing in areas of opportunity, such as community spaces, open spaces, quality schools, food, and transportation.”
 

Previous Council Decision

There has been previous Council decision to accept the USDA grant to fund this project.

• Grant acceptance approval on September 6^th, 2022