BEND, OR -- A local non-profit grocery store highlighting locally-sourced food is in danger of closing its doors without an influx of cash by the end of summer. Nicolle Timm, founder of Central Oregon Locavore, says buying local isn't just good for your health, it also promotes a relationship between farmers and communities. "What we provide both to farmers and shoppers is the ability to interface directly with each other. For the farmers, [it's] what we call an incubation marketplace, where we take products of all kinds. What we are is a place where they can take their product and know that it will get directly into the hands of the customer, cutting out any other middleman, so the price of the food can remain reasonable. For the customers, we are a six-day-a-week indoor farmer's market where they can go at their convenience to source local food."

Central Oregon Locavore opened in 2009, but Timm says there were unforeseen expenses associated with their move to Third Street in Bend, and the rough winter. She needs to raise $25,000 by the end of summer. She tells KBND News, "We have accomplished everything that we have done to-date without any funding from grants, large donations, or any significant influxes. We've accomplished a lot with very little and we're very confident that we can continue to thrive and grow with a little boost and take it to the next level." Timm, isn't looking for a handout; she hopes the opportunity for farmers and customers to connect will encourage the community to keep buying local. "Making that commitment to support local first is what's going to keep our local farmers [and] our local ranchers in business. It's so valuable and so worth it for generations to come."