BEND, OR -- Central Oregon Locavore has launched a fundraising campaign to replace a critical piece of equipment. The nonprofit’s point-of-sale (POS) system is failing and stops working multiple times a day. It’ll cost an estimated $20,000 to purchase, install, train staff and transfer to a new system.

Founded in 2009, Central Oregon Locavore helps bridge the gap between grocery consumers and local farmers. More than 25 ranchers, 15 farmers and 200+ local food vendors sell their products at Locavore's 2600 square-foot, year-round indoor farmers market. It also manages five educational programs.

"We are hopeful this community will rally to help us get this new Point of Sale in place before the old one fails completely. I'm not really sure what we would do if that happened," Founder Nicolle Timm-Branch said in a statement, "We might have to close the marketplace for a time until we could figure out another solution."

Donations to the “SOS POS Fundraiser” can be made at the Central Oregon Locavore website.