Cultivating Equitable Food Policy in Southern Arizona

Goals

Our project is a collaboration between the University of Arizona Food Systems Research Lab and the Pima County Food Alliance. Our goals are to build community relationships, convene expertise and multiple forms of knowledge, and produce evidence-based findings to address these complex challenges. We also aim to meaningfully bolster ongoing local and regional efforts to advance food production and access, food security, food policy, and food sovereignty in ways that are long-lasting and attentive to issues of equity, justice, and overall well-being. Through surveys, focus groups, interviews, arts-based activities, and community events, we provide social and behavioral sciences and economic data to support community-based food initiatives and policy.

Issues Involved or Addressed

Southern Arizona’s food system faces several environmental challenges, including increasing temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, long-term drought, water shortages, and competition for land and water resources with urban development and agricultural exports. Growing public interest in and economic importance of local food in the region have generated several social, cultural, and environmental questions, all of which require a human-centered approach based on critical thinking, thoughtful community engagement, and integrated planning.

Current research questions include:

  • What strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges are present in Southern Arizona’s local food system?
  • How do communities, individuals, and organizations in Pima County envision building a local food system that is resilient to risks like climate change, economic instability, or public health crises?
  • What public health and public policy advances would support those community visions?

Methods and Tech

This VIP offers the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of researchers and community members from the Arizona Institute for Resilience, the Center for Regional Food Studies, the Pima County Food Alliance, Art Education, and the Community Research, Evaluation and Development program. Students will also interact with farmers, small food business owners, policymakers, and nonprofit organizations in Pima County.

Students will gain hands-on experience in one or more of the following:

  • Community engagement methods
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Conducting literature reviews
  • Tracking food-related policies and funding opportunities
  • Writing for public audiences
  • Developing website content
  • Arts-based research activities
  • Collaborative project design
  • Creative and critical thinking
  • Project evaluation
  • Science communication and public outreach
  • Developing their own independent research project

Academic Majors of Interest

Open to all majors, including:

  • Geography
  • Anthropology
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Education
  • Environmental Science
  • Natural Resources
  • Science Communication
  • Nutrition
  • Art and Humanities

Preferred Interests and Preparation

Skills:

  • Basic computer skills
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of Canva or Adobe suite

Attributes:

  • Resourceful, curious, independent, and collaborative worker
  • Knowledge of or interest in food systems, food justice, or food policy 
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to attend in-person events in Tucson, AZ

Application Process

This team is currently full for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Team Advisors

Gigi Owen, PhD

Laurel Bellante, PhD

Shelby Thompson