The Desert is Delicious

Local Produce With A Purpose

A Smarter Harvest Is Taking Root in AZ

Arizona’s agricultural community is learning to do more with less. With a 20% reduction in Colorado River water availability, the state’s farmers are implementing smart growing and irrigation practices that could serve as a climate-responsive playbook for changing environments worldwide.

Armenian cucumber flowers at Machokoto Farm

Join the Movement Today, For Tomorrow

Help shape Arizona’s agriculture industry by choosing sustainable, water-smart produce. Your support aids local farmers as they grow low-water, desert-adapted crops and contribute to a healthier environment. Here’s how you make a difference:

  • Foster Arizona’s evolving agriculture industry

  • Support farmers who use smart practices to grow low-water, desert-adapted crops

  • Choose fresh, locally-grown, nutrient-dense produce

  • Minimize the heat-island effect by prioritizing agricultural land

  • Advance global standards for climate-smart farming


Good For The Environment. Good For You.

Desert-adapted crops are anything but dry. They’re robust in flavor and nutrition — and offer a smaller carbon footprint by needing less water. Explore Arizona’s hardy, climate-smart crops:

  • Prickly Pear: High in fiber and Vitamin C, low in sodium and saturated fat.

  • Cowpea: Rich in protein, fiber, and potassium, and drought-tolerant. More bean than pea, cowpeas include black-eyed peas, yardlong beans and more.

  • Agave: A sweetener rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants.

  • Tepary Beans: High-fiber and low glycemic index, teparies pack an impressive 21 g of protein in 1/2 cup.

Explore Desert-Adapted Foods

Be Part of a Climate-Smart Future

By choosing local, desert-adapted produce, you help create a thriving, sustainable food system in Arizona. Explore our programs, and support a movement rooted in resilient, low-water agriculture.


Our Commitment to Climate-Smart Programs

Across the state, Local First Arizona is working with farmers, food businesses and restaurants to expand markets for desert-adapted crops while building capacity and sustainability throughout the food system.

In our community kitchens, we support food entrepreneurs to source local. In our Green Business Boot Camps, we teach business owners to implement resource-saving sustainability projects in their business.