ediblecentraloregon.com | 15 Central Oregon Locavore 1841 NE 3rd St.; 541-633-7388 centraloregonlocavore.org Westside location 1135 NW Ochoa Dr., Suite 100 Check website for grand opening details. Would you like to shop for groceries from regional producers, no matter the season, at one centrally located destination? Consider your wish granted: Central Oregon Locavore, which feels like a mix of your favorite co-op and an indoor farmers market, offers a full-diet shopping experience, plus a sweet selection of body products, herbs, and gifts. With a “farmer-first” approach, Locavore returns an impressive 65 cents of every marketplace dollar directly to the regional producers with whom it partners—that’s three to four times more than a largescale grocery store. Supporting the 150 local farms and makers who sell at the store is Locavore’s raison d’etre, as well as building resilience and access throughout the regional food economy. To that end, Locavore strives to provide fresh, in-season, nutrient-dense local food to those who need it most, accepting a number of food-access currencies and programs, all in a convenient location with accessible shopping hours. As the organization prepares and fundraises for the opening of its second location on Bend’s Westside later this summer, Founder and Executive Director Nicolle TimmBranch explains that this decision, 17 years after opening, was grounded in listening to what local producers reported would help them most: More than increased visibility, they need pathways to additional sales. “We do not grow by taking more from farmers,” she says. “We grow by helping more people buy from them.” EAT WELL, DO GOOD Bend-based nonprofit market helps customers shop local year-round e Photos by Leo Fremonti/Central Oregon Locavore
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