UNESCO City of Gastronomy

Tucson, Arizona – A UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy

In 2015 when Tucson became the first City of Gastronomy in the U.S. designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), it joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network now comprised of 170 cities in 80 countries, including nine U.S. cities. The non-profit formed to manage Tucson’s designation works with local governments and other key stakeholders to ensure our region leverages the designation for economic development and other community benefits, and fulfills UNESCO’s requirements. The non-profit has several programs, often in partnership with the University of Arizona and other non-profits, and has become a leader in policy development for urban agriculture, food entrepreneurship training, economic development of the culinary sector, and community engagement for food justice. This presentation will explain why Tucson received the designation, and how it is benefiting the community.

Dr. Jonathan Mabry’s archaeological investigations documented more than 4,000 years of continuous habitation and cultivation near downtown, making Tucson the city with the longest history of occupation and agriculture in the U.S. He was lead author of the application that obtained Tucson’s designation as the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the U.S. He serves as the City’s liaison to UNESCO and as Executive Director of the non-profit managing the designation.