Chefs, farmers, foodies and climate champions converge in Tucson for the Arizona Good Food Forum + Expo

The largest local food business event of the year comes to one of the Southwest’s richest gastronomic regions on Aug. 27

Tucson, Ariz. (Aug. 1, 2024) — Local First Arizona will bring the Arizona Good Food Forum + Expo — the state’s largest conference and sampling event for local food and agricultural businesses — to Tucson this year on Aug. 27.

Anyone with an interest in food, dining, agriculture and the environment is encouraged to attend, including chefs, restaurant owners, farmers, ranchers, tribal growers, packaged food producers, brewers, vintners, distributors, foodies, climate advocates and others eager to learn about and contribute to the future of food.

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27

Where: El Conquistador Hotel, 10000 N. Oracle Rd, Tucson

Cost: $89 (includes lunch and admission to the tasting expo)

Topics of discussion at the forum include:

• The Way of Our Ancestors: Foraging, Farming & Hunting

• Serving the Desert: How to Eat the World Around Us

• Getting Paid for 'Good' Growing Practices

• How to Grow Food in Hotter and Smaller Places 

Following the forum, an expo of more than 80 local vendors will provide samples of their delicious products to attendees.

Keynote speaker:

Don Guerra of Barrio Bread is a James Beard award-winning Tucson baker who believes food has the power to create community while benefiting our planet. His bakery stands as a model for the future, uniting regional farmers and millers to bring healthy, environmentally sustainable whole grains, flours and breads to consumers. Guerra’s unique, naturally fermented breads promote biodiversity and drought tolerance, and enhance the nutrition and flavor profiles of our regional food supply. Besides his many speaking and educational engagements, Guerra collaborates with brewers, restaurateurs and retailers to innovate and bring new foods and drinks to life, all while promoting a vision of food producers sourcing diverse, sustainable ingredients from their local communities to support both the global environment and local economies.

In addition, the University of Arizona, Local First and other partners will share how farmers can receive thousands of dollars in funding from the Arizona Climate-Smart Practices Program and the Arizona Alliance for Climate-Smart Foods to learn how to plant native and heritage crops, reduce water consumption and market their products for growing demand.

Other speakers at the conference represent a range of organizations, including but not limited to:

• Climate-conscious agricultural producers: Arizona Grass Raised Beef Company, Desert Sky Produce, DRY Cooperative, Forever Yong Farm, the Local Co-Op, Ndée Bikíyaa The Peoples’ Farm, Oatman Flats Ranch, San Xavier Cooperative Farm

• Restaurants and food brands: Benny Blanco Tortillas, Charro Steak, Chez Peachy, Dirt Lady Bread, Spirit Mountain Roasting Company, Zio Peppe

• Government, nonprofit, university and lending partners: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Growth Partners Arizona, HonorHealth Desert Mission, Pinnacle Prevention, Potlikker Capital, Rooted Relative Fund, Southwest Community Food Bank, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, USDA Farm Service Agency 

• Tribal nations and organizations: Colorado River Indian Tribes, Diné College, Foster Young Apache Gatherers, Hopi Foundation, Hualapai Tribe, Native American Advancement Foundation, Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation, University of Arizona Tribal Extension Program, White Mountain Economic Development

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the visionary Don Guerra, hear from leading experts, learn useful business practices and sample the best of Arizona’s local food producers.

About Local First Arizona

Local First Arizona is dedicated to unleashing economic opportunity for Arizonans. We are a nonprofit community and economic development organization that boasts the largest local business coalition in the U.S. We deploy our innovative programs across the state to empower entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to succeed and communities to thrive. We call on all Arizonans to be champions of our state. Because our state is our story. Join us at localfirstaz.com to help build Arizona's future.

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