ACTIVATE FOOD ARIZONA

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  • Home
    • ABOUT US
    • IN THE NEWS
  • Programs
    • Community Initiatives
    • Online SNAP
    • Food Access Trainings
  • Farm Express
    • We're Hiring!
    • Weekly Schedule
    • INTERACTIVE MARKET MAP
    • Merch
  • Contact
  • Donate Now

our story

For far too long, food insecurity has been stigmatized in our communities. Those affected are often left out of decision-making and have been isolated by inequitable policies and practices. We believe access to food is the backbone of thriving economies and communities, and no one deserves to live without it. ​

Since our inception, Activate Food Arizona and Farm Express mobile markets have been on a mission to provide better access to healthy, affordable food for Arizona community members in both urban and rural regions of our state.
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But the work we do goes beyond simply the sourcing and delivery of fresh, affordable food. Our larger, overarching goal is to ensure all individuals have the ability to make their own food decisions and to, in turn, build more connected and united communities across Arizona.

At Activate Food Arizona, we’ve already served nearly 60,000 individuals and families in the state. As proud as we are about the difference we’re making, we know there is plenty more work to be done, and we won’t rest until all Arizonans have equitable access to the food they deserve.

MEET OUR TEAM

From Farm Express drivers and sales associates to Activate Food Arizona program managers and consultants, our team members come from a diverse range of backgrounds, specialties, and leadership. We are a solution-minded, results-driven ​“Do-Tank” of compassionate community members who take pride in our work. In all that we do, we strive to be a trusted resource for communities across Arizona. ​

Click on a Team Member’s Photo for More Information 

Elyse Guidas

Executive Director, she/her

Elyse's earliest food memories involve family and connection with community. It is these memories that propelled her to work in public health, ensuring all communities have opportunities to thrive, to connect with each other, and to access to healthy food. Her work experience includes health policy planning and development as well as local food system advocacy. As Executive Director, she works with local and regional partners to create thriving food systems across Arizona.

CASEY HOPKINS

Program Director, she/her

Casey began working in food and food justice as a farm worker on several small-scale organic farms in California and Arizona. Agriculture led to a passion for cooking, which began an almost decade-long career as a pastry chef and program manager for a variety of restaurants and cafés. As Program Manager of Farm Express, she blends her experience from many different facets of the modern food system to benefit Farm Express communities.

ALISA LYONS

​Consultant, she/her

Alisa's industry expertise includes workforce and economic development, higher education, including university and community college policy, and commercial real estate development advocacy. On behalf of Activate Food Arizona and the Farm Express mobile market program, Alisa provides leadership support and administrative consulting to organization management and staff.

JACOB PETTINATO

Sales Associate, he/him

Jacob Pettinato is an Arizona native from Mesa and has worked in the Valley for the past 10 years. As a working musician, Jacob spent years working retail and restaurant jobs until he decided he wanted to do more for his community. In Fall 2020, he joined forces with Farm Express to give back and provide all community members access to healthy, affordable food. Whether driving a bus or serving customers, Jacob is committed to doing his part for the Farm Express community. ​

LILLY MAY

Sales Associate, she/her

Lilly May started serving in restaurants at age 14, which led to her becoming the talented cook and bartender she is today. Having to put a hold on both jobs as a result of the pandemic, she leaned into what was once a hobby, canning and distributing preserves and pickles. She works hard to accommodate any allergies, sensitivities, aversions, and price points, which translates well to her work with Farm Express, ensuring everyone has access to high-quality produce.

AARON VALDIVIA

Sales Associate, he/him

Aaron Valdivia was born and raised in San Diego, California. He has 11 years of experience of working with produce. In the summer of 2021 Aaron joined the Farm Express team. He is happy to help customers with any questions they might have and any recommendations they may need.

COCO PINEDO

​Community Outreach Coordinator and Sales Associate, she/her

Howdy y’all, I’m Coco. Arizona native. Been in the service industry for 15 years with my experience ranging from sales associate to Restaurant manager. In November 2021, I jumped at the chance to join the Farm Express Team. I have a passion for food, especially fresh fruit and vegetables. Having grown up in a food desert, I’m grateful to be part of a team dedicated to promoting healthy options to the communities of PHX. Cheers friends! Hope to see you at one of our Farm Express sites in the community!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lloyd Ramsey, Board Chair
Global Engineering Leader,
​DLR Group
Sara Dial, Board Treasurer
Principal, Sara Dial & Associates
​​
Jennifer Holsman-Tetreault
Vice President and Associate General Counsel of Litigation and Compliance, TPI Composites, Inc.
Dr. Christine Bracamonte Wiggs
Director, Community Development & Health Advancement, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Trisha Stuart
​
Director of Community Relations,
Mercy Care

Follow us on social media!

fresh express facebook
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MEDIA STORIES
For media inquiries, please contact Elyse Guidas at elyse@activatefoodaz.org

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Mobile produce market to pick up the slack at site of closed Tempe grocery store
​KTAR

City of Tempe Partners with Farm Express, Mobile Market Offered Twice a Month
FOX 10 News

Fresh Affordable Produce Available through Activate Food Arizona's Mobile Market

​Fox 10 News

Farm Express Mobile Market brings fresh produce to Valley residents
​Fox 10 News

Farm Express Is Cruising Into the Food Deserts of Phoenix
Phoenix New Times

Fresh food initiatives feed, teach communities of color
AP News

Farm Express back up and running, delivering produce to food deserts
ABC15 Arizona

When Coronavirus Hits Food Deserts 
Wall Street Journal

This bus carries fresh produce, not people NBC 12 News

BCBSAZ and Farm Express launch mobile produce market
​AZ Big Media

Meet Elyse Guidas of Fresh Express by Discovery Triangle in Phoenix and Tempe VoyagePhoenix Magazine 

Converted Valley Metro bus sells fruits, vegetables to low-income families
AZ Central/ Arizona Republic 

Food Desert Deliverance
Arizona State University 
​
Mobile Truck Brings 200K Fruits, Veggies to Food Deserts
Phoenix Business Journal 
​
How to Help 55 Million People Out of Food Deserts 
yes! Magazine 

Efforts Underway To Improve Nutrition in Maryvale
Fronteras

Fresh Express on Channel 3 TV
Channel 3

​
Vacant Food City in Tempe to become mobile produce market
Daily Independent

Tempe brings in mobile food market to fill grocery store gap
​ABC 15

Fresh Express mobile grocery store delivers fruits, veggies
Fox 10 News

Inside the Ride: Fresh Express
Valley Metro
​

Fresh Express Bus Brings Produce to “Food Deserts” in Phoenix and Tempe
​
Phoenix New Times

Next Stop: Nutrition! Arizona’s Fresh Express Change Urban Eating Habits
Progrss

Mobile produce market targets urban shoppers, food deserts in Phoenix
Arizona Republic

Fresh Express offers organic produce in refurbished city bus
Downtown Devil

Phoenix residents apple-crunch together at fourth annual Phoenix Food Day
Downtown Devil

AZ Giving and Leading: Fresh Express
Arizona Horizon

Fresh Express Bus Delivering Fresh Goods In Food Desert
CBS 5

Skip The Grocery Store Line, Fresh Produce Is Headed Straight To You
Cronkite News

Fresh Express Bus Brings Food To Underserved Areas
College Times

All Aboard The Fresh Express
BUSRide Magazine

The Fresh Express Is Coming To A Neighborhood Near You!
Local First Arizona News

Fresh Express Bus to Bring Fresh Produce to Tempe, Phoenix Area
The State Press


Tempe offers mobile market as affordable way to get fresh produce
12 News

Discovery Triangle Launches Initiative to Bring Fruits, Vegetables to Underserved Areas on Retrofitted City Bus
​
Commercial Executive Magazine

Valley Metro, Partners Repurpose Bus As Mobile Market
Newszap

ASU Nursing Students to Offer Free Health Screenings Through New Program
Downtown Devil

Fresh Express to Deliver Produce to Low-Income Areas
KTAR News

Discovery Triangle Group Bringing Mobile Produce Market to Tempe, Phoenix
Phoenix Business Journal

Discovery Triangle to Launch Initiative to Bring Fruits, Vegetables to Underserved Areas on Retrofitted City Bus
LocalRevibe Magazine

Fresh Express Bus Takes Veggies to Neighborhoods
Fox 10 Phoenix

City Bus Turns Into Mobile Produce Market
Fox 10 Phoenix

Fresh Express Brings Produce to Under-Served
ABC 15 Arizona

Bus Brings Fresh Produce to Under-Served Areas
3TV Phoenix

Discovery Triangle Launches Healthy Initiative
AZ Big Media
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All Aboard the Fresh Food Express
Downtown Phoenix Journal

Discovery Triangle: Fresh Express
​
FrontDoors News
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Introduction to Farm Express - April 2014

Fresh Express from UA College of Medicine - Phoenix on Vimeo.

​Food Desert Deliverance - Farm Express 

​by McKenna Dalgarno, Sydney Frazier-Flores, Alfonso Lopez-Morales, Markus Lilje
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MAIL ONLY:
Activate Food Arizona
​
221 East Indianola Ave

Phoenix, Arizona 85012