Title
Authorization to Apply, Accept, Disburse Funds and Enter into Agreements for Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance Game Changer Fund (Ordinance S-50305)
Description
Request approval for the City Manager, or his designee, for the City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs (OEP) to submit a grant application to the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) Game Changer Fund Request for Proposals, Transforming Food Systems for $200,000 to transform the local food system through the creation of a Phoenix Circular Food Economy Pilot Project, and if awarded, to execute all contracts and Memorandums of Agreement necessary to accept and disburse the grant funds. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, grant funds in accordance with the terms of the aforementioned grant and agreement.
Report
Summary
The CNCA Game Changer Fund is available to fund development, adoption, and implementation of game-changing climate work to achieve prosperity, social equity, resilience and a better quality of life for all. The focus of funding is to improve local food systems - especially by addressing emissions embodied in food transportation, storage, packaging and food waste products. Up to $200,000 is available over a two-year grant period.
OEP plans to submit a grant proposal for $200,000 to circularize the food economy in Phoenix by creating connections throughout the food system. The pilot project will connect food producers, processors, aggregators/distributors, consumers, restaurants, agri-food tech businesses, and composting service providers. The pilot project will serve the needs of residents impacted by food and climate justice issues, strengthen the connections between restaurants and food producers, shorten food supply chains, eliminate food loss and waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote regenerative food production of culturally appropriate foods, and fortify the local food system.
Grant Partners
OEP intends to partner with the following organizations to implement the circularization of the Phoenix food economy:
- Cihuapactli Collective - grow culturally appropriate foods for residents and restaurants through regenerative agriculture methods and receive compost generated by residents and restaurants to regenerate soil and start the circular process anew.
- Food Forest Cooperative - grow culturally appropriate foods for residents and restaurants through regenerative agriculture methods and receive compost generated by residents and restaurants to regenerate soil and start the circular process anew.
- Sun Produce Cooperative - aggregate from the growers (Cihuapactli and Food Forest Cooperative), distribute to residents and restaurants, and use the FreshKube to ensure freshness and fight food loss and waste.
- FreshKube - provide new innovative cold storage containers for transportation of produce specifically designed for the Phoenix climate and for local, small growers.
- Recycled City - provide compost pick up and processing and deliver finished compost back to growers (Cihuapactli and Food Forest Cooperative).
Consumers and restaurants benefit from the receipt of locally grown produce with food waste diverted from the landfill through composting. Growers benefit with a market to local restaurants. A new agri-food tech business benefits by increasing the use of their innovative product in the marketplace. The CNCA grant also aids in achieving the goals established in the 2025 Phoenix Food Action Plan and the 2021 Phoenix Climate Action Plan.
The grant will be managed by the OEP.
The deadline to submit a proposal is Nov. 7, 2023. Award announcements are expected by Nov. 30, 2023.
Contract Term
The grant term is for up to two years.
Financial Impact
No match or general fund dollars are required for this grant.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Office of Environmental Programs.