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AZ Food & Farm Forum


  • THE FARM AT AGRITOPIA 3000 East Ray Road Gilbert, AZ, 85296 United States (map)

AZ Food & Farm Forum

What defines good food?

Join us in 2018 for conversations & strategies for our diverse & prosperous future.

The Arizona Food & Farm Forum is a 2-day conference for producers, food entrepreneurs, and local food advocates, programmed to change the way our desert state feeds itself. The event features networking sessions, nationally-acclaimed keynote speakers, instructional workshops, and the opportunity to grow your local food community.

Speakers, agenda, and additional information are posted on a rolling basis here: localfirstazfoundation.org/azfoodforum

Thanks to those supporting this event: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Discover Gilbert AZ, The Farm at Agritopia, Johnston Family Foundation, Vitalyst Health Foundation AZ, Courtesy Chevrolet, Stern Produce Co., The University of Arizona, Friends of Arizona Farm Bureau, Edible Phoenix, Green Living AZ, Devour Phoenix.

Conversations & strategies for our diverse & prosperous future.

The AZ Food & Farm Forum is a 2-day conference for producers, food entrepreneurs, and local food advocates, programmed to change the way our desert state feeds itself. The event features networking sessions, nationally-acclaimed keynote speakers, instructional workshops, & the opportunity to grow your local food community.

Who Should Attend:

  • Food Producers & Entrepreneurs: farmers, ranchers, food artisans, & home gardeners

  • Food Distributors & Market Managers

  • Industry professionals with the desire to connect with the needs of local food production

  • SNAP-Ed and Food Access Advocates

  • Youth: 4-H members, FFA students

  • Chefs & Restaurateurs 

  • Any community member dedicated to community food system development

2018 Programming

MEET OUR KEYNOTE: DEBORAH FRIEZE

Deborah Frieze is founding partner of the Boston Impact Initiative, an impact investing fund focused on economic justice, which means investing in opportunity for all people—especially those most oppressed or abandoned by our current economic system—to lead a dignified and productive life. The fund takes an integrated capital approach, combining investing, lending and giving to build a resilient and inclusive local economy. Deborah is co-author (with Margaret Wheatley) of Walk Out Walk On, an award-winning book that profiles pioneering leaders who walked out of organizations failing to contribute to the common good—and walked on to build resilient communities. She is also founder of the Old Oak Dojo, an urban learning center in Boston, MA.

Join for the Keynote Address on Tuesday, May 8 from 8:40am-9:40am.