Council Member Rocque Perez Makes Successful Call to Suspend Tucson’s Food Permits in Support of Mutual Aid

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In response to growing concerns from mutual aid groups and community organizations, Council Member Rocque Perez initiated the formal request that led to the City of Tucson suspending its Food & Beverage Distribution Permit requirement for park-based food distribution.

On September 23, 2025, Council Member Perez submitted an official memorandum—co-signed by Mayor Regina Romero—asking the City Manager to suspend the program and bring forward options for full repeal or amendment. The request cited barriers faced by community groups distributing prepackaged, shelf-stable food and called for a comprehensive review of enforcement practices, community feedback, and legal considerations.

“Mutual aid groups and volunteers have been stepping up to care for our unhoused neighbors and families facing food insecurity,” said Perez. “Our policies should support their work, not create unnecessary obstacles. It became clear that the permit program was causing confusion, inconsistency, and tension at a time when our community needed collaboration.”

Following the request, on September 26 the City Manager issued a memo suspending enforcement of the permit requirement, acknowledging that the system was not achieving its intended purpose and had instead contributed to conflict and geographic inequity in food access.

Perez’s memorandum requested that City staff specifically explore:

• Exempting low-risk, prepackaged food distribution from permitting

• Reducing or eliminating barriers for mutual aid groups

• Ensuring consistency in enforcement

• Aligning policy with First Amendment and public health considerations

“The suspension was the right step,” Perez continued. “Now we must focus on long-term solutions that allow people to meet basic needs safely and compassionately while ensuring the City’s rules reflect our values.”

Mutual aid organizers, including Community Care Tucson, welcomed the suspension after months of concern about citations and the closure of Armory Park during construction. Community groups had long argued that the permit process discouraged aid efforts during a time of rising need.

The City Council later voted unanimously to eliminate the permit requirement entirely.

“The work of community groups made this issue unavoidable, and I’m grateful for their persistence,” said Perez. “My role was to take their calls for change and move them formally into the City’s decision-making process. This is what partnership between local government and the people should look like.”

A copy of the formal request submitted by Council Member Perez is available here:

Memo_Study Session_Parks Food Distribution.pdf

Download PDF • 260KB

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