TUCSON, AZ, May 2026 -- Tucson Foodie announced the launch of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer, a community dining campaign designed to inspire Tucson residents to eat local through the summer. The campaign runs May 18 through August 9, 2026, and is produced in partnership with 510 South Marketing, with support from AZ Wine Collective.
Each week of the campaign features a dining theme, beginning with Asian Week on May 18 and continues on throughout the summer highlighting a wide array of cuisine and plant-based dining from burgers and frozen desserts to happy hour, breakfast and brunch, and concluding with Sonoran Week in August 3-9. Tucson residents can participate by visiting any qualifying local restaurant or establishment, photographing their receipt, and submitting it through the Tucson Foodie app for a chance to win weekly gift card prizes.
"Tucson summers are really tough on our local economy, especially restaurants. We want to create something that gives our community a reason to go out, try something new, and feel good about supporting local. Every receipt upload is validation that small businesses are the backbone of our community", said Addie Ibarra, Tucson Foodie Community Director.
The campaign opens with three anchor events designed to build momentum in its first three weeks. Asian Week (May 18-24) closes with the Asian Night Market on May 23. Wine Week (May 25-31) kicks off with AZ Wine Collective on May 25. Vegan Week (June 1-7) closes with the Vegan Night Market on June 6.
Local restaurants are encouraged to create themed specials during their relevant week that will be featured in Tucson Foodie editorials and mentioned across the publication's social media channels. Participation requires no formal commitment -- restaurants are free to join at any level or simply benefit from the increased community foot traffic the campaign generates.
Local and regional businesses are also invited to come on board as sponsors. Sponsors receive logo placement on weekly campaign graphics, mentions in editorial features, and inclusion in social media promotions. All prize value is redirected entirely to community members in the form of weekly gift cards and a summer grand prize.
2026 Foodie Summer Schedule
|
Week |
Dates |
Theme |
Anchor Event |
|
1 |
May 18–24 |
Asian Week |
Asian Night Market 5/23 |
|
2 |
May 25–31 |
Wine Week |
AZ Wine Collective events this week |
|
3 |
June 1–7 |
Vegan Week |
Vegan Night Market 6/6 |
|
4 |
June 8–14 |
Coffee & Tea Shop Week |
|
|
5 |
June 15–21 |
Happy Hour Week |
|
|
6 |
June 22–28 |
Frozen Dessert Week |
|
|
7 |
June 29 – July 5 |
Burger Week |
4th of July |
|
8 |
July 6–12 |
New-to-Me Week |
|
|
9 |
July 13–19 |
Italian Week (Pizza & Pasta) |
|
|
10 |
July 20–26 |
Breakfast & Brunch Week |
|
|
11 |
July 27 – Aug 2 |
Steak & Carne Asada Week |
|
|
12 |
Aug 3–9 |
Sonoran Week |
|
Tucson holds the distinction of being the first city in the United States to receive a UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation, recognizing a food culture rooted in over 4,000 years of agricultural and culinary tradition. 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer closes on that note, with Sonoran Week (August 3-9) celebrating the indigenous ingredients, Sonoran Mexican heritage, and local culinary identity that earned the city that recognition.
Participants can enter the campaign through the Tucson Foodie app. Restaurants and businesses interested in participating or sponsoring should reach out to addie@tucsonfoodie.com.
About Tucson Foodie
Tucson Foodie is Tucson's leading local food and lifestyle publication, connecting residents with the city's restaurant scene through editorial coverage, event guides, and community-driven content. Follow along at tucsonfoodie.com and @TucsonFoodie.
About 510 South Marketing
Based in Tucson, Arizona, 510 South Marketing specializes in building powerful digital brands through social media management, content creation, online advertising, and marketing strategies designed to increase visibility, engagement, and business growth.
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