The purpose of this page is to support the Central Oregon regional food system by creating a space where potential funders from within and outside Central Oregon can see how regional organizations fit together and differentiate. The organizations included on this page are those that are involved in education, outreach, and services that strengthen the Central Oregon food system through events, programs and other work in their community. Most organizations will be nonprofits or affiliated with local, state, or federal agencies, and all will do work and/or be based here in Central Oregon. This page is updated annually, last update October 2020.
Bend Farmers Market
The mission of the Bend Farmers Market is to create and sustain a centralized market that provides fresh local produce and farm products to the Central Oregon community, providing a viable market for local farmers, and enhancing the business, nutritional, and community health of Central Oregon.
Our organization benefits consumers and producers alike across Central Oregon.
We serve Deschutes County.
Downtown Bend Farmers Market: May – October every Wednesday from 2-6pm
Contact: bendfarmersmarket@gmail.com
Social Media @bendfarmersmarket
Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC)
The Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council serves the local governments of Central Oregon, providing regional collaboration, efficiencies and service delivery for a strong local economy and quality of life.
COIC’s Community & Economic Development Department supports local food programs, projects, and initiatives that enhance economic outcomes for local farmers & ranchers and other local food businesses. COIC offers facilitation, project management, resource development/grant writing, and fiscal administration services to our community partners. We engage in regional scale collaborative projects, and do not typically run direct service programs (although we sometimes help launch new programs).
Our organization serves all local government entities; local and regional non-profit organizations; small to mid-size food businesses, including farmers and ranchers.
We serve Crook County, Deschutes County, Jefferson County, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.
COIC is a great partner if you’re looking to launch or expand a program or initiative, or are looking for ways to increase public sector buy-in for your programs.
Central Oregon Locavore Non Profit
Central Oregon Locavore is a non-profit that promotes local food and farmers for the health of our community. We work for an ecologically stable and socially just food system in Central Oregon by improving access to fresh, nutrient-dense local food, educating the community about the benefits of sustainably produced food, and supporting farmers and ranchers.
Our programs include:
• 7 day a week Indoor Farmers Market
• Willing Workers On Local Farmers on farm work days
• Farm Kids on farm learning field trips
• Locavore Food School monthly cooking classes
• Edible Adventure Crew foraging forays
• Small Farmer Support Program
• Meet Your Farmer dinner series, and Farm to Table dinner series
We support local farmers and ranchers by providing them with a year-round incubation market. We provide education and engagement to the community about the local food system, as well as offer educational experiences via WWOLF, Locavore Food School, Farm Kids, Edible Adventure Crew, and Meet Your Farmer dinner series
We serve Deschutes County and Jefferson County.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us to become a member.
Website: www.centraloregonlocavore.org
Contact: info@centraloregonlocavore.org
Social Media:
Facebook: Central Oregon Locavore Non Profit
Instagram: @centraloregonlocavore
Friends of Family Farmers
Friends of Family Farmers is the voice for Oregon family farmers who responsibly steward their land and feed our communities. We promote sensible policies, programs, and regulations that protect and expand the ability of family farmers and ranchers to run successful land-based enterprises while providing safe and nutritious food for all Oregonians.
Our programs include:
• Oregon Pasture Network
• Oregon Farm Link
• Policy Work at the State Level
• Eater Programs: InFARMation (educational events)
• Oregon Pasture Network Product Guide
• Watchdog: Representing small and mid-sized farms and holding decision makers and state agencies accountable
We serve small and mid-sized family farmers and ranchers and eaters (family farm supporters) statewide.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us to become a member.
Website: www.friendsoffamilyfarmers.org
Contact: natalie@friendsoffamilyfarmers.org
Social Media: Facebook: @friendsoffamilyfarmers Instagram: @foffinthefield
High Desert Food & Farm Alliance
Our mission is to support a healthy and thriving food and farm network in Central Oregon through education, collaboration and inclusivity.
Our programs include:
• Through VeggieRx we aim to improve healthy eating habits for individuals who are experiencing food insecurity and who have been diagnosed with diet-modifiable disease
• Grow & Give is a fresh food donation program that re-distributes excess food to those in need
• We offer Farmer/Rancher Support through a variety of programming
• Our Annual Food & Farm Directory connects consumers with locally grown, raised, and crafted foods
We support farmers and ranchers, food businesses, and limited-income residents.
We serve Crook County, Deschutes County, Jefferson County, and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us to become a member.
Website: www.hdffa.org
Contact: info@hdffa.org
Social Media: Instagram: @hdffa
NeighborImpact
NeighborImpact was created in 1985 to represent and serve economically disadvantaged residents of Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. Our mission is to support people and strengthen communities.
Our programs include:
• Food Bank
• Head Start
• Personal Finance
• Housing Assistance
• Homebuyer Assistance
• Weatherization
• Energy Assistance
• Rental Assistance
• Childcare Resources
• Census Assistance
• Oregon Health Plan Assistance
We serve Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us to become a member.
Website: www.neighborimpact.org
Contact: carlys@neighborimpact.org
Social Media: Facebook: @NeighborImpact Instagram: @neighborimpact
Rogue Farm Corps
Rogue Farm Corps trains and equips the next generation of farmers and ranchers through hands-on educational programs and the preservation of farmland.
Our Programs Include:
• The Internship Program is an entry-level, immersive program that combine hands-on training and skills-based education in sustainable agriculture for a full season.
• The Apprenticeship Program is an advanced on-farm learning experience, combining hands-on training and skills-based education for those ready to dive in to the art and business of sustainable agriculture.
• On-farm training for both the Internship and Apprenticeship is combined with farm tours, classes, and discussion circles throughout the region, as well as opportunities for independent study. Interns are exposed to a vast array of knowledge and expertise by engaging in the daily life of vibrant, agricultural communities.
• Our Changing Hands workshops bring together retiring farmers, beginning farmers, and family members for a full day of training on land access, succession planning, and networking.
Our farmer training programs are suited for anyone interested in exploring sustainable agriculture as a profession. The Changing Hands workshops are open to aspiring farmers and retiring farmers & their family members.
We serve Crook County, Deschutes County, Jefferson County and Statewide.
Website: www.roguefarmcorps.org
Contact: gia@roguefarmcorps.org
Social Media: Facebook: @RogueFarmCorps
Instagram: @roguefarmcorps
Sakari Farms
Sakari Farms is an educational Tribal Food Production Farm and houses the Central Oregon Seed Exchange. We are a partner of the Deschutes County Seed Bank.
Our Programs Include:
• Technical Assistance
• On-Farm Education
We serve Deschutes County, Jefferson County, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation, and Statewide.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us to become a member.
Website: www.sakarifarms.weebly.com
Contact: sakarifarms@gmail.com
Social Media: Facebook: @SakariFarms
Instagram: @sakarifarm
Seed to Table
Our mission at the Seed to Table Program (S2T) is to increase the health and wellness of students and families, specifically decreasing obesity, in the Sisters community through providing equal access to nutritious foods and offering opportunities in garden based wellness education.
Our Programs Include:
• Fresh Food Farmacy
• Produce Shares
• Food Bank Donations
• School District Field Trips
• Nutrition and Science Education
• Adult Garden Education
• Sisters Farmers Market
• Farm internships and volunteering
We serve the general public, students, and vulnerable populations in Deschutes County and The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.
Website: www.seedtotableoregon.org
Contact: audrey@seedtotablesisters.org
Social Media: Facebook: @seedtotableoregon Instagram: @seedtotableoregon
The Environmental Center
Our mission is to embed sustainability into daily life in Central Oregon.
Our Programs Include:
• Garden for Every School Program – Our garden for every school program exists to connect youth to nature through food. We support nutrition and garden based education at central Oregon schools through direct service, technical assistance, garden grants, district support, and a local garden educator network.
We serve youth, educators, and schools in Crook County, Deschutes County, Jefferson County, The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation.
We are supported by our members. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member.
Website: www.envirocenter.org
Contact: denise@envirocenter.org
Social Media:
Facebook: @TheEnvironmentalCenter
Instagram: @envirocenterbend
