August 29, 2023 | Mesa, Arizona

Uniting Arizona’s Local Food Economy

After more than a decade of supporting Arizona’s localized food system through two signature events - Arizona’s Food and Farm Forum and the Good Food Expo - Local First Arizona is combining the two events into the Good Food Forum + Expo.

Aiming to unite Arizona’s local food economy, the combined conference and food exhibition welcomes all participants in our local food system to connect, share educational insights, broaden local food relationships and business connections, and strengthen communities across the state.

EVENT DETAILS

 

Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023

Time: Doors open at 8 am
Forum: 9 am - 12:15 pm (Forum tickets are now sold out)
Expo: 11 am - 2 pm Expo tickets are are still available! If you’re a chef, retailer, or food buyer, please reach out to gabe@localfirstaz.com to reserve your complimentary ticket to the Expo portion of the event

Location: Mesa Convention Center, Building B & C

Tickets Cost: $87 including taxes and fees. (Click the ticket waitlist button if you are intersted in attending the forum)

 

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The Good Food Forum + Expo is an opportunity to engage with local food leaders, policy makers, farmers and ranchers, food entrepreneurs, and purveyors—and experience Arizona’s finest foods and ingredients, identify options for sourcing locally, and build relationships with the people behind Arizona’s local food economy.

EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

The event kicks off with a morning conference filled with educational sessions that focus on strengthening our local food system. With three tracks and over 12 sessions, forum and keynote speakers include local food leaders, advocates, and producers who are developing agricultural solutions to our water and climate challenges; building resilient food systems in urban, tribal, and community spaces; and working toward bringing local farming and urban/rural small-scale food production to the forefront of policy change.

LOCAL FOOD EXPO

In the afternoon, the expo will showcase over 80 local vendors from all areas of the food system, including farmers, wholesalers, food artisans, brewers, wineries, and distillers from across Arizona that will be sampling their products, discussing the industry, and growing their networks. 

Buyers & Attendees 

Buyers will experience an innovative expo of Arizona-made food and food products. In addition to sampling products and building relationships with those who make food in our state, buyers will also learn about local trends in our food industry.

Exhibitors & Producers

Arizona-based, wholesale-ready food & beverage producers will showcase their products to professionals in charge of purchasing food for their restaurant, business, organization, or institution. Vendors will have a chance to increase their distribution channels and build relationships with new clients.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

If you’re concerned about the future and resiliency of Arizona’s local food system or looking to expand business to business connections in the food space, the Good Food Forum + Expo is for you!

  • Local Food Entrepreneurs & Advocates

  • Chefs and Restaurateurs

  • Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Entrepreneurs

  • Backyard and Urban Ag Growers

  • Grocery & Local Food Buyers

  • Food Distributors

  • Farmers Market Managers

  • Small & Large-Scale Food Institution Buyers

  • Boutique & Small Business Market/Grocery Owners

  • Civic Leaders interested in engaging with local food leaders & local business owners

  • Industry professionals with the desire to engage with the local food community

  • SNAP-Ed and Food Access Advocates

  • Youth, especially 4-H members and FFA students

  • University and college students studying sustainability and food systems

  • Any community member dedicated to growing community food

  • Industry professionals who are interested in networking within the local food community

WHY ATTEND?

Attending the Good Food Forum + Expo will unite and build collaborative relationships to seek actionable solutions that build a diverse, inclusive and resilient food system across the state of Arizona.

  • Increase awareness and knowledge around resilient food systems

  • Be inspired to seek solutions that build resilience, access, and inclusivity within our statewide food system

  • Gain knowledge of organizations, groups, and projects that are in the food system space and inspire action to support this work

  • Support Local First Arizona and partner organizations in the work they are doing to uplift our food communities

  • Increase and support local food production models 

  • Increase and support local food purchasing whether direct to consumer or distribution into retail and institutional sectors

  • Advocate for policy change that supports resilience, equity, and access in our statewide food system

Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors for investing in a stronger local food economy!

Is your organization interested in sponsoring or partnering in this event? Please click here to learn more about our sponsorship packages or contact us at goodfoodfinder@localfirstaz.com.