As tons of local produce runs the risk of over-ripening and perishing in Phoenix, Local First Arizona Foundation develops an organization structure to collect, prepare, and distribute local food.

Local First Arizona Foundation is reshaping the local food distribution system in Phoenix. "Using federal funding from the CARES Act, the city will distribute healthy meals for pandemic response efforts produced by local growers, local restaurants and local caterers. While it was no heavy lift to find local growers and others to move produce, prepare and deliver meals, it required some extra work inside city hall to minimize the red tape typically associated with federal dollars," reports Oscar Perry Abello.
Granted $500,000 in CARES Act funding to collects food from local farmers, works with local restaurants to prepare meals, and hire delivery drivers, Local First Arizona Foundation has created a system for supplying healthy meals to those in crisis while saving harvests of local farmers from perishing.
The coverage from Abello discusses the lack of federal funding in updating broken systems of local food distribution. According to Abello, "efforts like this one to meet emergency food needs through local economies are happening organically in many cities, but they’re largely funded locally, if at all."
FULL STORY: Phoenix Weaving Together New Local Food System Amid a Pandemic

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
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