Inspired by Community: Downtown Phoenix’s Food Scene
Downtown Phoenix is tethered to its local community, and areas like Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, and the Melrose District showcase the city’s local food scene—serving as a model for how to support local food businesses and entrepreneurs in an urban city. Unique features like the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market, gathering spaces such as The Churchill, and community events like First Friday and Arizona Fall Fest make it not only possible, but easy for Phoenicians to eat, drink, and enjoy local.
The Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market
Serving as a local food hub since 2005, the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market has become the quintessential community gathering space that supports local farmers and showcases the cultural and entrepreneurial spirit of the Phoenix community. More than 90 farmers, artisans, and vendors are part of the Saturday market, a destination point for discovering new local food businesses and purchasing locally raised meat and seasonal fruits and vegetables grown in the area. Additionally, the folks responsible for the market also host the annual Phoestivus event that features delicious food, music, and locally made and produced gifts for holiday giving from more than 200 small businesses.
Located in the center of Roosevelt Row, The Churchill is a stopping point for uncovering a curated selection of local restaurants, artisan retail shops, and pop-ups. This incubator space empowers food restaurateurs and local business owners by offering a brick and mortar space to get their food and local business dreams off and running. This gathering space nurtures the community through creativity and collaboration—showcasing all the different facets of Downtown Phoenix’s thriving small businesses collective in one place.
Named after Arizona’s birthday, Valentine opened in 2020 in the Melrose District with a vision to highlight the beautiful and quirky components of the desert Southwest. With this vision in mind, chef Donald Hawk does as much as he can to support Arizona by sourcing and partnering with local farms. Key ingredients are sourced from local farms and food businesses, such as Rovey Family Farms, Two Wash Ranch, Chula’s Seafood, and Mcclendon’s Select. Sourcing locally makes sense to Valentine’s mission of representing Arizona and paying tribute to the incredible food produced here. The creative preparation of local ingredients in their dishes and drinks serves as a flavorful reminder of our beautiful desert home and connects us to the land.
Experience the buzz of creative expression during Downtown Phoenix’s First Friday Art Walk by strolling through the arts districts of Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue. With nearly 100 different local food trucks, food stands, and local vendors, you can experience the essence of Phoenix through a walkable tour of dining, drinking, shopping, and enjoying the local arts and music scene.
The First Friday Art Walk is a wonderful way to connect with the makers and creators of our local community and celebrate the city’s artistic beginnings.
When it started nearly 16 years ago with just 27 vendors, the Arizona Fall Fest began as a celebration of Phoenix’s local business community. The festival continues to bring local businesses, including local food businesses and beverage makers, and Arizonans together to build pride in our local community. Now the state’s largest certified local event, the family-friendly and dog-friendly event is absolutely free to attend and happens annually at Margaret T. Hance Park in Downtown Phoenix on the first Saturday of November!
The Phoenix: Lets Eat Local! campaign is a partnership between City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs and Local First Arizona that celebrates the connection between Phoenix residents and the makers, growers, and advocates building stronger food systems in our local food communities. It is an invitation for residents to learn about our local food communities, celebrate our diverse food pathways, and help our local food businesses become more resilient and robust for ourselves and for future generations. To learn more about the campaign, visit http://phxeatlocal.com/.