Food Systems

As Arizona’s Land Grant University, UArizona has spent years equipping students, local Arizonans and others around the world with the agricultural and resource management tools they need to adapt to the food supply and food security challenges of the future.

Our research

The Resurgence of Waffle Gardens Is Helping Indigenous Farmers Grow Food with Less Water

In the face of climate change and persistent droughts, a growing number of people from Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico and elsewhere are adopting the traditional farming practice.

In Tucson, ‘Barrio-Supported Agriculture’ Feeds the Latino Community

Tucson’s Barrio Centro is home to a small-scale farm aiming to increase food security while reclaiming Latino cultural traditions and values.

Food insecurity in Arizona and the UA: Q&A with assistant professor Anna Josephson

Studying and measuring food insecurity in the United States was as important as ever during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Food Access and COVID Research Team was part of the effort to understand how the pandemic was affecting people to help inform governmental policies. Anna Josephson, assistant professor at the University of Arizona Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, was part of this team to help accomplish this objective for the state of Arizona.

UArizona research shows perseverance in Tucson food industry

University of Arizona researchers released a new report of how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the food system right here in Tucson.

Researchers look to solve food production challenges due to climate change

Researchers say climate change is posing significant challenges for farmers across the country and could have an impact on food production in years to come.

Op-ed: How the Pandemic Made it Harder For Immigrants to Access Food

From avoiding public benefits like food assistance programs, to facing overwhelmed private programs, many immigrants faced increased food insecurity during the pandemic. 

Food waste rises during the pandemic

The increase in food takeout due to the pandemic has also led to an increase in single-use plastic items.

Why combining farms and solar panels could transform how we produce both food and energy

Agrivoltaics—putting solar panels on farmland—lead to astonishing productivity gains and improved energy efficiency. Except when they don’t.

University of Arizona gathers data on COVID-19 pandemic effect on tomatoes

A clear consumer retail preference for vine-ripened tomatoes after the March 2020 COVID lockdown is one finding of a study by the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics at the University of Arizona.