Central Oregon Leaders Gather to Fund the Future of Local Food

Central Oregon Locavore launches expansion strategy with Rooted & Rising Gala and Bring It West micro-donation campaign.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:51pm

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A high-end studio still life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished objects like a glass jar of honey, a wooden crate of produce, and a handcrafted ceramic bowl, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background to convey a sense of quality, craftsmanship, and community.A celebration of the local food movement in Central Oregon, where community leaders have rallied to expand access to fresh, sustainably-grown products.Bend Today

On April 24, 2026, Central Oregon Locavore is hosting its annual Rooted & Rising Gala at Tetherow Event Pavilion, a sold-out evening bringing together over 160 of the region's most committed business leaders, farmers, ranchers, healthcare executives, local elected officials, and philanthropists. The goal is to activate a $200,000 community fund to open a satellite Locavore marketplace at Discovery West, slated for late summer 2026, that will bring year-round access to locally grown food into one of Bend's fastest-growing neighborhoods.

Why it matters

For the 17-year-old nonprofit, the Gala is not just a fundraiser, but a public launch ceremony and the moment a multi-year expansion strategy becomes real in front of the people who made it possible. The expansion aims to address the two biggest needs identified by Locavore's 2025 audit - consistent, year-round sales infrastructure for small producers, and convenient access to local food for Westside families.

The details

Between now and April 24, Locavore is accepting micro-donations at the register at 1841 NE 3rd Street and online at centraloregonlocavore.org/marketplace/discovery-west. Contributions of $5, $10, $25, $50, or $100 join the running total that closes live at the Gala announced from the stage as part of the paddle raise that night. Every dollar raised funds the physical buildout of the Westside location, while maintaining Locavore's model of returning 65 cents of every marketplace dollar directly to the farmers, ranchers, and makers who supply it.

  • The Rooted & Rising Gala will take place on April 24, 2026.
  • The new Locavore marketplace at Discovery West is slated to open in late summer 2026.

The players

Central Oregon Locavore

A 17-year-old nonprofit organization that operates a local food marketplace in Bend, Oregon.

Nicolle Timm Branch

The Founder and Executive Director of Central Oregon Locavore.

Discovery West

A fast-growing neighborhood in Bend, Oregon where the new Locavore marketplace will be located.

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What they’re saying

“This expansion belongs to the whole community, not just the people who can get to Tetherow on the 24th. If you've ever bought eggs here, grabbed a roast, or picked up a jar of local honey you're already part of this. Bring It West is our way to make that official.”

— Nicolle Timm Branch, Founder and Executive Director, Central Oregon Locavore

What’s next

The new Locavore marketplace at Discovery West is slated to open in late summer 2026.

The takeaway

Central Oregon Locavore's expansion strategy aims to address the two biggest needs identified by its 2025 audit - consistent, year-round sales infrastructure for small producers, and convenient access to local food for Westside families in Bend. The community-funded approach demonstrates the organization's commitment to its mission and the region's food system.