Locavore has provided a steady market for a lot of our produce for many years. Used to deliver CSA boxes and locavore was a drop off site. Now we sell mainly through farmstand in sisters but buy produce from other farms and locavore is willing to be a drop spot for other farms to drop of there so we can pick it up. Locavore is willing to use whatever resources they have to help the local farm community and we’ve benefited from that a lot.

We’ve had some really great volunteer days organized through locavore. Every year we have a WOOLF group come out and it’s a highlight of the year, it’s really fun!

I run a small organic farm on leased land in Sisters, Oregon along with my wife, Carys. Our business is called Mahonia Gardens and we are in our sixth season of farming. Our small farm accounts for almost all of our income.

A few years ago, Central Oregon Locavore reached out to us and said, “How can we help you?”, and since then they have become crucial to our existence as a business. They allow us to use the parking lot of their Bend location as a drop-off point for our weekly CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) customers, free of charge, even though in doing so we are in direct competition with their marketplace. They even let us store CSA boxes in their very limited refrigeration space, and only occasionally ask for a few dollars to help cover the electric bill.

Central Oregon Locavore also organizes a series of volunteer events on local farms, called WWOOLF (Willing Workers on Organic Local Farms). We have held one such event at our farm, which brought about 20 volunteers out to spread compost over the vegetable beds. Locavore staff organized and promoted the event, and provided food for the group of volunteers. They asked us for nothing in return.

Another way we benefit from Central Oregon Locavore is by selling our veggies to them at a generous price. The Locavore marketplace pays us more for our vegetables than any other wholesale account—closer to retail prices we might receive at a farmer’s market. Why? Because their mission is to support local farmers. While most retailers we work with try to negotiate lower prices from us, the Locavore makes every attempt to give us the highest reasonable price possible.

As a farmer, I work with many produce retailers and I am positive that Central Oregon Locavore is not just a business trying to turn a profit. Their mission is to support local farmers and a vibrant local food system in our region, and any income they derive is used in this mission.

Without locavore I would not have a business. Locavore makes it so easy. Taking care of animals takes time so I have no time to market my product. The only place I sell through is locavore. They have been a dream come through. I’m so thankful for the partnership.

When came to Locavore, single mom, teacher, trying to make farm work on the side and went from $50-$1500/month in 6 years – just by dropping off meat at Locavore. Helps her business grow. Loves getting a market report so she can track sales and understand the demand.

Locavore was the first store we got our product out through to central OR which was pretty huge for us as a 2 person operation, especially after farmer market season. Able to chose price we want for our product in pretty unusual for selling in a store so it’s been great to get the full value our of what we are growing, would have t bring price down to sell to larger grocery stores.

WWOLF days have been incredible. Two years back had a daunting harvest ahead because had to harvest garlic then haul it to new property to hang and cure. Did not know if it could work out, called on WWOLF to help and 15 volunteers came out and we got down early and it was super hot, close to 100. We had lunch and fun, and people had smiles and were enjoying being there. It made it so much better to have the hands, so grateful for that day, it was amazing.

I am writing in regard to the great service and benefit provided to myself and my family by Locavore. We are small ranchers and gardeners that produce too little product to sell commercially. Both my husband and I work full time, as ranching does not provide a livable wage. On our weekends and evenings, we maintain our gardens and care for our small herd of cattle and chickens.

In our area of Powell Butte, there are many large cattle ranches that sell locally and regionally. We cannot compete with them, nor do we want to produce on such a large scale. All of our cattle have names! We tried selling at a local farmers market, but they put up many hurdles which we found unprofitable and insurmountable. We were at a loss as to where we could sell our products. Then we found Locavore. They provide the storage, marketing and guidance we needed to get our product to the people of Central Oregon.

We humanely raise grass fed beef. Our cows eat the grass and hay that we grow on our property. Our chickens are cage free and spend their entire lives with us. We do not cull them, we treat them like family. We grow vegetables in our greenhouse to include tomatoes, potatoes, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage and the like. Our vegetables are grown without pesticides or herbicides. We are doing good things with the land and we are proud of what we do.

Because of Locavore, we can sell and market our products. These are products we produce as a family, and as small farmers. We simply grow and produce them, then take them to Locavore to be marketed and sold. Locavore has a set mark-up they take, and the amount we take home is up to us.

Locavore is an amazing resource for small businesses and the community. They hold workshops, sustainable cooking classes, a seed exchange, and educational functions. They are a wonderful group of people, an exceedingly beneficial business and Central Oregon is lucky to have them.

I have been associated with Central Oregon Locavore almost since its inception. I had just started selling my handcrafted products. When I approached Locavore about selling my products on their online marketplace and then in the market itself, I was welcomed with open arms. This was the beginning for me to promote my business, sell my products in the most awesome environment, make so many lasting friendships among the customers and simply get me up and running. I know that I can speak for so many of the vendors at Locavore when I say that most of us would not be where we are today had we not been given the opportunity to sell products at Locavore.

This community is so very lucky to be able to buy the bulk of products for their families, all of which are produced or handcrafted with love right here in Central Oregon. There is so much longevity among the producers at Locavore. The horrible realization that so many of us would no longer be able to fulfill our dreams of providing locally made goods to the community and to lose so many customers that have supported us throughout the years is unimaginable.

Please allow all of us to continue to provide the best local products that Central Oregon has to offer!

We have sold our beef products at Locavore since it started. Over the last ten years, we hae attempted to get our product in other grocery stores to no avail. Locavore has always welcomed us ina professional manner. Locavore handles marketing, selling and paying us for our beef sales.

Ranching is a very hard buiness to be in, we struggle annual to keep it going financially. Breaking even is a huge victory for us. Locavore has been a consistent year-round sources for us to sell product. I can’t say it is what keeps us afloat each year but I can say that without Locavore, we would have a huge hole in our business.