By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
The City of Phoenix is looking to launch a “Resilient Food” initiative that includes a backyard garden pilot project to help residents grow vegetables, fruits and herbs in their backyards.
The gardening effort involves providing aquaponics and other gardening systems for residents looking to grow their own food.
The city’s Resilient Food effort aims at addressing food insecurity by helping foster more local and grassroots food production and increase entrepreneurship and job opportunities in food-related spaces.
The program also looks to encourage the preservation of farmland and open spaces with potential grants for working farms and ranches.
The Phoenix City Council is being asked to approve a $1.6 million allocation for the effort.
The funds are coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (the $2.9 trillion COVID relief program passed in March by Congress and President Joe Biden.)
The city is entering into agreements with Thrive Consultancy Inc., Central Arizona Land Trust, NxT Horizon LLC, Lehr Innovations LLC, and the Tiger Mountain Foundation for the program, according to city documents.
The program is on the council agenda for today’s meeting (Sept. 8).
