I want to start by thanking everyone who participated in this past weekend’s Stuff the Bus food drive. Your generosity will undoubtably make the Thanksgiving holiday better for many in northern Arizona. In this week’s newsletter, we’re highlighting two ways we as a community are coming together to support our neighbors.
First, we’ll share a look at our new Home Delivery Service, bringing food directly to Flagstaff residents who face challenges getting to our food distribution sites. Then, we’ll explore Native American Heritage Month through the lens of the seven pillars of Food Sovereignty, a framework that goes beyond food security to honor local control, sustainability, and culturally meaningful food systems.
Thank you for being part of this work. As we fulfill FFFC’s mission of Neighbor’s Feeding Neighbors, Every Day, your support ensures that everyone in our community has access to the food they need in ways that respect their dignity.
Sincerely,
Ethan Amos
President & CEO
Flagstaff Family Food Center
Home Delivery Service Launches
For some of our neighbors, getting to our warehouse or one of our neighborhood distributions isn’t possible. They might be homebound because of illness or recent surgery, and not have friends or family members who can pick up a food box for them. That’s why our Home Delivery Service is making a big difference by bringing food right to their doorsteps.
Launched just three months ago, this pilot program currently serves 21 neighbors in Flagstaff who have been referred to FFFC by a partner organization, such as a hospital or another community nonprofit.
“We’re hoping to expand it, depending on capacity and resources,” said Chris Smiley, FFFC Distribution Manager. “We’re talking with multiple organizations in the area to see how we can accomplish that.”
The hefty boxes contain 40 to 50 pounds of food, including some type of frozen protein, bread, nonperishables, and fresh produce. Recently, Chris said, FFFC has had an abundance of product from Factor, which produces ready-made, pre-cooked meals. They are particularly helpful for those recovering from illness or surgery as they can be heated in the microwave. Boxes are also tailored to address health concerns of clients, such as diabetes.
As with all of FFFC’s services, volunteers are essential for this new program, and Robin Roche has been with the Home Delivery Service since the beginning.
Robin and her husband, Terence, have been long-time donors to FFFC.
“We come from modest backgrounds and we believe that no one should be hungry,” said the California native, who relocated to Arizona 30 years ago and has been splitting her time Flagstaff and Phoenix since 2007. “We’ve been giving to the food bank because it’s such a worthy cause.”
This year, however, Robin wanted to get involved in a more hands-on way. When she was told about the home delivery pilot, she jumped at the chance.
“She’s a super volunteer,” says Chris, who accompanied her on her first round of deliveries. “She not only seems to really enjoy it; she also has a rapport with the clients.”
Robin said she’s always had an outgoing personality, and she brings that sociable demeanor to her volunteer work.
“It’s usually five or six people I deliver to and they are all so nice,” she said. “I don’t have a lot of time to talk – I don’t want things to melt! – but even if it’s just a brief encounter, they really seem to appreciate it.”
Deliveries take place on the first and third Thursdays of every month, and this program is always looking for caring volunteers like Robin to bring food – and connection – and help lower the barriers to getting nutritious food.
If you are interested in volunteering, please visit FFFC’s volunteer page.
Native American Heritage Month
As a proud White Mountain Apache, I am excited to celebrate Native American Heritage Month here at the Food Center. Among the many aspects of this month – and one that is particularly resonant with those of us at FFFC – is the connection between culture, Indigenous food, and the concept of “food sovereignty.”
Food sovereignty initiatives aim to improve public health in Native communities by addressing food insecurity and diet-related diseases, and by recognizing that food is not only nourishment, but medicine.
Food sovereignty goes beyond food security to honor the rights of communities to define their own food systems. It emphasizes:
- Food for People – Putting people’s needs first and treating food as more than just a commodity.
- Knowledge and Skills – Preserving traditional knowledge while using research to support future generations.
- Working with Nature – Enhancing ecosystems and resilience in food systems.
- Valuing Food Providers – Respecting and supporting the work of all who grow and produce food.
- Localizing Food Systems – Reducing dependency on distant corporations and keeping food close to the community.
- Local Control – Empowering local communities to manage food production and land resources.
- Food is Sacred – Recognizing food as a gift of life, not a commodity.
At Flagstaff Family Food Center, we see these principles in action every day and they are at the core of the Northern Arizona Anti-Hunger Partnership, a regional collaboration working to address hunger and food insecurity through systems-level change and community-driven solutions. You can learn more about it here.
Thank You, Hunger Heroes! (And there’s still time…)
The generosity of our Hunger Heroes on Giving Tuesday has immediately begun feeding families, children, and neighbors across Northern Arizona.
‘Stuff the Bus’ Returns Nov. 8th & 9th
We are proud to partner with Mountain Line, the City of Flagstaff, and Coconino County for our 10th annual Stuff the Bus food drive on November 8 and 9, 2025.
Resilience on the Rim
The Grand Canyon food pantry was founded during the last major shutdown in 2018–2019, and supports hundreds of households each week.
