San Antonio Hosts 2025 Food Systems Summit
Published on March 28, 2025
SAN ANTONIO (March 28, 2025) – Today, the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office hosted the 2025 Food Systems Summit at St. Philip’s College. A collaborative effort involving several City of San Antonio departments, the Food Policy Council of San Antonio, and Gardopia Gardens. The 2025 Food Systems Summit facilitated an engaging dialogue about the community’s rich histories of food access, accessibility, production, and consumption. In addition, the summit provided a generative space for conversations on food sustainability and accessibility, deep reflection on existing food systems, and a collective vision of what more resilient and equitable food landscapes in San Antonio should look like.
“We were thrilled to host this important summit, which brought together diverse voices in our community to discuss food systems and their impact on our daily lives,” said Colleen Swain, World Heritage Office Director. “By collaborating with local organizations, the City of San Antonio Metro Health District, Office of Sustainability, Solid Waste Management, Office of Historic Preservation, and our Chief Resilience Officer, we aim to foster a more connected and sustainable food environment for all San Antonians. As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, we strive to educate the public on the diverse culinary scene in San Antonio and to achieve a more sustainable food future.
The Food Systems Summit equipped attendees with the knowledge and resources necessary to effect positive change in their own communities. Participants engaged in vital, intersecting conversations around local food policies and programs, sustainability and accessibility within local food systems, and the public’s critical role in building robust, resilient, and accessible food systems.
March is National Nutrition Month which is a call to mobilize and strengthen partnerships that promote healthier lifestyles and good health for all. The Food Systems Summit exemplifies how the topic of food can bring our community together and the power of dialogue.
“This year’s National Nutrition Month Theme is ‘Food Connects Us.’ Having robust collaborations is pivotal for ensuring equitable access to nutritious foods by encouraging sustainable food practices and fostering overall community well-being,” said City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District Director, Dr. Claude A. Jacob. “This summit provided a unique opportunity for San Antonians to engage in meaningful conversations around creating more sustainable and inclusive food systems for all.”
Food Policy Council San Antonio President Jamie Gonzalez said, "Since 2010, the Food Policy Council of San Antonio has been dedicated to tackling the root causes of an unhealthy food system and empowering individuals to advocate for the food environment they envision. The Food System Summit offers a great opportunity to celebrate our achievements and partnerships while continuing our journey towards a healthier food system in San Antonio."
The 2025 Food Systems Summit provided a space for conversation to promote sustainability, accessibility, and a deeper understanding of the San Antonio food systems with the goal of creating a more resilient and equitable food landscape for the city.
For more information on the 2025 Food Systems Summit, visit SACityofGastronomy.org.