Arizona's Food System Response to COVID-19 - Webinar Recording

Arizona’s food supply chain faced novel pressures from COVID-19, but the supply chains to urban markets persevered.

Tune into this recording of a June 18 panel discussing how producers pivoted and responded with agility to serve our community's needs, most especially to serve our urban markets. The panel featured participation from:

Stefanie Smallhouse, Redington Livestock
Arnott Duncan, Duncan Family Farms
Charleen Badman, FnB
Billy Itule, Willie Itule Produce
Barry Craft, Bashas' Family Stores
Scott Vandervoet, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas

Moderated by: Dr Shane Burgess, VP University of Arizona

We took inspiration from the frankness of the conversation and folks sharing their experiences keeping Arizona (and the country) fed. Tune in to the conversation by clicking on the image below.

Charleen Badman's points about how pivoting has often resulted in work that requires 4 times as much labor but yet commands only 1/2 the price, and that the lack of processing and engaged distributors left produce rotting in the fields did not fall on deaf ears.

We look forward to continuing the conversation in partnership with Arizona Farm Bureau and Squire Patton Boggs in the near future. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to hear from a diverse array of speakers at the helm of Arizona’s Food System.

Thank you to all those who tuned in! If you have a topic idea you’d like to explore with us, don’t hesitate to be in touch here.