The Future of Food in Arizona: Memories of Food to Build a Sustainable Food System
We are all aware the problems and challenges with our current food system. In light of those pressing issues, we, a group of ASU humanities faculty and community partners, have embarked on a project to envision and design what the Phoenix area food system ought to be in 2040. “Dinner 2040” is the project culminating in an event over a meal where researchers and community members will in have a layered conversation about what the food system in Phoenix in 2040 ought to be and how we get there. If we want to ensure a sustainable food system in Phoenix, one that respects Historical, Cultural, and Place-based Practices, supports Sustaining Ecological Health, encourages Culinary Innovations for Human Health, ensures Food Justice, Social Justice, and Food Sovereignty—we are asking what should we be doing now to get to that future.
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- Creators: Navarro-McElhaney, Kristine
- Resource Type: Sound
Interview with Natalie Morris, Adjunct Faculty - Sustainable Food Systems Program, Mesa Community College
Natalie Morris is an instructor at Mesa Community College School of Sustainability and a promoter of Local First Arizona. She uses her deep love of food that she developed at a young age to develop a career around food systems. Experiences both in culinary school and her travels abroad helped Natalie to develop a passion for local food systems and education. One of her biggest projects to achieve this goal was Truck Farm Arizona, a mobile farm focused on the experience, education, and message of hope to under privileged youth. This project helped to show the next generation the importance and possibilities of growing local produce. Natalie also took her positive attitude to help Good Food Finder, now merging with Local First Arizona, to help connect the community, farmers, and local businesses to create a local food economy that promotes sustainability. Natalie’s focus goes beyond the classroom as she seeks to educate her community, focus on sustainability on a day to day level, and actively seek to grow Arizona’s local food systems.
Interview with Ashley Schimke, Farm to School Specialist for Arizona Department of Education
Ashley Schimke is the Farm to School Specialist for the Arizona Department of Education. Her experience working in the Phoenix community gave her an introduction to the struggles of the less fortunate within the Valley. Working with the Arizona Department of Education Ashley had the opportunity to bridge the gap between the education system and local producers. She seeks to give students the nutrition to focus and learn as well as the education to make healthy choices. Understanding food systems become more of an experience for students, which promotes a continual interest. Her work engages the next generation in an effort to change how they understand their environment and their food.