The Arizona Urban Agriculture Foundation has announced a year-long community partnership with Barrio Bagel & Slice that will support hands-on agriculture education, food literacy and community programming through June 30, 2027.
Since July 2026, customers at Barrio Bagel & Slice have had the opportunity to make voluntary donations with every visit. One hundred percent of those donations directly support the foundation’s educational programs, including Farmhands, youth and family food education, community classes and other initiatives that connect people to local agriculture and where their food comes from.
Every contribution helps preserve Arizona’s urban farms, grow certified organic foods, educate children and families about where food comes from, and foster a healthier community through local agriculture.
“Both of our organizations believe that food has the power to connect people to their community, to local farmers, and to the land. Every donation helps us expand hands-on education, preserve urban agriculture, and inspire the next generation to understand where their food comes from,” said Christy Davis, executive director of the Arizona Urban Agriculture Foundation.
The relationship began in 2024 after Davis and Agritopia Farm Manager Kelly Saxer met James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra at the Good Food Forum in Tucson. Recognizing a shared commitment to Arizona-grown grains and local agriculture, the organizations stayed connected.
“Our customers understand and appreciate that local sourcing of ingredients has become more important than ever, and their support of Agritopia will underscore that appreciation,” Guerra said.
Barrio Bread products have since been featured in the Agritopia Farm Store, the foundation has referred visitors to Barrio Bagel & Slice, and the bakery became a vendor during Agritopia’s Farm Nights in 2025. What began as a simple conversation about Arizona agriculture has evolved into a formal partnership focused on strengthening community connections through food. Learn more at azurbanag.org.
