BEND, OR -- Central Oregon Locavore, a Bend non-profit marketplace with only locally-grown or produced foods, raised the $25,000 they needed to keep their doors open.
Megan French of Locavore, says it wouldn't have been possible without tremendous community support. "We were really excited and overwhelmed by the [amount] of people who donated to our Go-Fund-Me, and small businesses around town stepped up and did donations days for us. The store was busier than ever, we had a flush of new memberships, so, it was kinda like every little bit added up to this great amount, so we're really happy and really grateful to our community."
French says they raised the funds in fewer than two months and she credits Central Oregonians who know how important eating local is, and how vital it is to support area food producers. "We just want everyone to know that we're extremely grateful for the outpour of support, whether it's financial or verbal, we had lots of people come to us with great ideas, and we're just extremely grateful and happy to be able to continue serving the community and the local food system."
Central Oregon Locavore has been integral in connecting local chefs with farmers in an effort to create a farm-to-table community. They plan to celebrate the meeting of their goal by throwing a Fall Harvest Feast on September 16th at DD Ranch in Terrebonne.
