What would a system look like if we produced and shared our own healthy foods in Maricopa County? It’s an intriguing question in the Southwest, one that surfaced continuously as SLHI explored the issues involved in healthy foods access. What seemed like local problems quickly scaled into systems issues. For example, an initial investigation into helping low supermarket access communities quickly turned into discussion of food prices and distribution inefficiencies.
We recognized that Maricopa County’s diverse partners did not have a forum to collaborate and develop strategies. And so, the idea of creating a coalition was born.
Key partners such as The University of Arizona Agricultural Extension, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Valley of the Sun United Way, the City of Phoenix and a breadth of local advocates worked with SLHI as we engaged national expert Ag Innovations to jump start and facilitate the process.
Two February 2014 open houses brought more than 150 people together. Watch our short video to meet some of the participants and advocates. Since then, monthly meetings have produced a governing committee structure, a mission and a name:
The Maricopa County Food Systems Coalition
Mission – To support and grow a food system in Maricopa County that is equitable, healthy, sustainable, and thriving.
Core Values – Our local food system includes: growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, selling, eating, recycling and composting, considering how each affects the community, the environment, and the economy. Four core values unite and guide us in our work. The coalition will collaborate to support existing initiatives and grow new ones that align with the values of (1) equity, (2) health, (3) sustainability and (4) a thriving, diverse and economically vibrant community.
Methods – The coalition will achieve its mission through a variety of methods, including:
- Identifying and strengthening existing assets
- Convening diverse stakeholders
- Educating and raising awareness
- Engaging the community and seeking feedback
- Fostering partnerships
- Influencing policy
- Conducting research
- Developing specific projects
Principles of Operation – The coalition will:
- Work together toward common goals and the greater good
- Share leadership
- Be community focused and collaborative
- Be inclusive rather than exclusive – diversity is our strength
- Respect the values of the communities we serve
- Listen to and respect all opinions and ideas
- Be open to new perspectives
- Acknowledge that no one person is an expert on the entire food system
- Maintain an open exchange of information
The Coalition’s formative work is nearing completion. It is expected to publicly launch in early 2016.