Team Locavore

​James Gray is at the helm as Central Oregon Locavore’s Marketplace Manager. With over a decade of experience in Natural Foods and a passion for supporting good people and eating good produce, James is a dream come true. He loves to share recipe ideas and get creative with every day meals. This guy is also a total geek for Central Oregon plant ecology. If you bring up any type of wildflower in the area he will talk your ear off about it! Come into the market and meet James and the rest of our knowledgeable Locavore staff!

Nina comes to the position with a wealth of experience as a previous business owner. We know that Nina is going to do an amazing job helping James and I keep the Locavore ship in tip-top shape. Thank you Nina for your enthusiasm, systematic approach to daily tasks, commitment to quality, and your fantastically calm and relaxed demeanor.

Gwen has been involved with Locavore nearly since the inception, and is the founder of the Farm Kids Program. Gwen has an extensive background in early education and is the owner of Juniper Jungle farm. Gwen maintains a mini farm at home with her family, and spends most of her time looking after her twin kiddos, who keep her plenty busy!

“The Mothership”. The mother of all mothers. Some could say that Locavore is all her fault, as she is the one who raised the founder and daughter, Niki Timm-Branch, in a home abundant with local food, meat and dairy. And taught Niki to make things happen. Becky is also the fearless mother-hen (volunteer) Volunteer Coordinator who bravely commands our fleet of fabulous volunteers to help steer us to greatness. You need some mothering? Volunteer with us!

I believe in cultivating a relationship with each of my clients so I can truly be your visual voice – your storyteller. …let’s talk over coffee.

I’ve spent my life working in professional kitchens and in that time I’ve learned international and domestic cuisines and traditional cooking techniques. I think anyone who is exposed to diverse flavors will easily develop a passion for food and cooking. However, another feeling developed inside me as I worked in these kitchens; a profound sense of alarm at the careless waste of the food industry and the absence of mindfulness to the impact on our environment and community.

Community is important. Health is important. Respect for our planet is critical. I believe that food is not only culture, but valuable medicine. I care deeply about how this belief can affect our community. In order for me to be a responsible part of society, my labor must correspond with my belief system. Simply put, Locavore provides sustainability, promotes educated and conscious consumption, as well as perpetuating respect for our ecosystems, locally and globally. In addition, Locavore puts it’s best foot forward to enable our region’s farms to strengthen our local economy. Besides all that, who doesn’t like quality food? For me, choosing to become a part of Locavore was not only clear, it felt like a blessing.

Tracy is our newest teammember at Locavore, but she is not a new face to us. Tracy is also a vendor, and brings us those delightful little fungi that add umami to our food. She is Landfish Mushroom Farm. Tracy brings a unique perspective to the team as she can see things from the vendors point of view and that has been very beneficial to all.

Born and raised in potato country Idaho. My passion for Locavore started as a customer, and a food lover. Cooking and eating are two of my favorite things (apart from my dogs)! I aspire for a lifestyle that is rooted in my community, and Locavore makes that possible!

I moved to Bend two years ago from Portland.  I’ve spent a good portion of my life working for natural food grocery stores and volunteering at Food co-ops. I have found that the sustainability of community health is rooted in having a connection to where our food comes from, and the growers who work hard to provide us with local food options. I look forward to meeting the farmers, ranchers and artists that are part of the Locavore family.

I spend my free time teaching, metalsmithing, making soap, and playing the cello. I have one cat.

Bio coming soon.