Arizona Food Bank Network

Your gifts to the Arizona Food Bank Network become ingredients in heritage recipes across Arizona this holiday season. With your help, for AzFBN's 40th year, we can set the table for hundreds of thousands of our neighbors and pull up a chair for everyone. Food banks across the state rely on AzFBN to help bring the warmth of familiarity to family feasts. Gifts are matched this season up to $15,000! Go to azfoodbanks.org/give to make your contribution today.?

This season, let's continue our 40-year tradition of ending hunger together. Whether you're a monthly donor, a give-what-you-can donor, or a legacy donor, every dash of this and that adds a component to the recipe that simply can't be missed. And right now, a generous donor in our community is MATCHING DONATIONS until 2025 UP TO $15,000! We look forward to creating new traditions with you in a #hungerfreeaz. Until then, our food banks and pantries need us. Donate today at azfoodbanks.org/give.

Happy 1-year anniversary to Catherine Gibson! Your unwavering commitment and exemplary leadership have been instrumental in steering the Southwest Boundless Collaboration Project. Your aid in our mission to expand access to fresh food and produce across the Southwest and the Feeding America Network is truly inspiring. Over the past year, you have skillfully coordinated numerous moving parts and fostered collaboration among a diverse team of 22 project partners and stakeholders. Your strategic vision and dedication have made a profound impact, ensuring that we stay true to our collective pledge to nourish communities across multiple states. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make a difference. Here’s to many more successful years ahead!

It's #NationalSchoolLunchWeek! School lunches aren't just about food, they're a vital part of every student's day. It's not just about refueling for the afternoon - the cafeteria is where we learn to socialize and share. Ensuring children have access to food is a cornerstone of what AzFBN does. Throughout this week, we'll be highlighting some of the dedicated individuals who make it happen year-round. But first, let's go over the ABC's of #NSLW24! Here are some official acronyms you'll hear from the pros.?? #SchoolLunchPirates School Nutrition Association

Across Arizona, two distinct farms are cultivating much more than just crops. They are both generating lasting positive change in their communities. Residential GRuB is more than a farm; it's a catalyst for health. Residential GRuB delivers healthy, fresh food,?that their community can rely on. White Lotus Farm stands as a beacon in the fight against hunger. Danielle's mission is simple yet profound: to feed those who need it most and serve as a lifeline for their community. Residential GRuB is deeply committed to nurturing its community with wholesome, clean food. For them, farming extends beyond mere cultivation—it's about ensuring every plate served is a healthy, chemical-free feast they can take pride in. Danielle combines innovation and compassion in her approach to fight hunger. With her robust, energy-efficient geodesic dome greenhouses, she's standing strong against Skull Valley's winds and setting an example for sustainable farming. She enjoys sharing her expertise with locals, empowering everyone to cultivate their produce, right in their own yards. Thank you White Lotus Farm and Residential GRuB for all you do.

Fruits, veggies, dairy, and....steak? Yes! Our Friends of the Farm program is currently working with cattle ranchers who provide this program with locally-grown beef. Jackson Ranch has been raising cattle in Huachuca City since the 1950s and their beef is grass-fed and delicious. Meanwhile, Forestdale Farms in Flagstaff stands tall as a proponent of organic and sustainable farming and believes that by nurturing local food systems, we can cultivate robust, healthier, and more secure futures for our food. They grow all kinds of delicious vegetables; broccoli, brussel sprouts, collard greens, kale, and lots of microgreens! #farmersweek #farmersday Friends of the Farm has allowed smaller farms like these to add a much-needed stream of income while helping their neighbors in need! It's a win-win situation.

Have you ever heard the phrase “if you ate today, thank a farmer”? At AzFBN we thank them every chance we get because thanks to them we get to distribute fresh produce to food banks - and through food banks to families in need. October 12th is #NationalFarmersDay and we want to highlight some of the amazing growers that are part of our statewide Friends of the Farm, farm-to-food-bank program. The first two of our #thankafarmer series are Kelly Saxer from Agritopia Farm and Rodney M. from Edenic Farms. Both Kelly and Rodney exemplify the diverse and dynamic nature of farming today, proving that with passion and innovation, the future of local agriculture is full of potential. Stay tuned as we continue highlighting more amazing farmers in our #thankafarmer series, celebrating those who cultivate the land and nourish our communities. We invite you to thank a farmer while you are out at your next farmers market, or if you are feeling the gratitude today, leave a comment for one of our #friendsofthefarm farmers below!

AzFBN is #hiring an Office/Executive Assistant in Phoenix, Arizona. Apply today or share this post with your network!

Thank you to Osborn School District for opening their doors and hearts to us as we learned about their food program. We had a chance to meet with lots of sweet faces as they mixed up a batch of delicious fall ?? salad. Kudos to the kids for trying mayo kama squash for the very first time! ?? A special shoutout to Cory Alexander, the diligent Child Nutrition Director, and his impressive team who tirelessly ensure daily, tasty, and nutritious meals for their kids. Much appreciation to Principal Jeff Martin, Christina, Theresa, Mark, and Maria for emphasizing the value of school meals. Witnessing this collective effort in feeding kids was truly inspiring! Our visit coincided with lunchtime on a #tacotuesday. The sight of kids joyfully dancing their way to grab lunch confirms tacos are a crowd-pleaser!??

Are you registered to vote? The deadline to register to vote is only 7 days away! Our fabulous Public Policy Manager, Jessica Herbert compiled an entire sheet of important dates, deadlines, and things to know ahead of the November 5th election, check it out, here azfoodbanks.org/vote/ Your vote matters and can support policy that can help us end hunger - yes it can!