On April 24, 2026, Central Oregon Locavore hosts its annual Rooted & Rising Gala at Tetherow Event Pavilion, a sold-out evening bringing together 160+ of the region’s most committed business leaders, farmers, ranchers, healthcare executives, local elected officials, and philanthropists to publicly launch Phase 1 of the organization’s expansion strategy that includes an additional location on Bend’s Westside.
The goal that night is to activate a $200,000 community fund to open a satellite Locavore marketplace at Discovery West, slated for late summer, 2026 that brings year-round access to locally grown food into one of Bend’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.
For the 17-year-old nonprofit, the Gala is not just a fundraiser. It’s a public launch ceremony and the moment a multi-year expansion strategy becomes real in front of the people who made it possible.
For those who won’t be in the room, Locavore has opened a second way in.
The Bring It West Campaign: Between now and April 24, Locavore is accepting micro-donations at the register at 1841 NE 3rd Street and online at centraloregonlocavore.org/
“This expansion belongs to the whole community, not just the people who can get to Tetherow on the 24th,” said Nicolle Timm Branch, Locavore’s Founder and Executive Director. “If you’ve ever bought eggs here, grabbed a roast, or picked up a jar of local honey you’re already part of this. Bring It West is our way to make that official.”
Every dollar raised whether from a $5 register donation or a $5,000 Founding Circle commitment funds the physical buildout of the Westside location. None of it alters the percentage that flows back to farmers.
What the Expansion Solves: Locavore’s 2025 audit of 33 farms and ranchers across Central Oregon found that consistent, year-round sales infrastructure not passion, not awareness is the single greatest need among the region’s small producers. At the same time, independent shopper research found that the number one barrier keeping Westside families from accessing local food was location, not price.
The Westside marketplace addresses both. For farmers, it means more volume through a proven sales channel. For families near Discovery West and NorthWest Crossing, it means local food that is no longer a detour.
Locavore returns 65 cents of every marketplace dollar directly to the farmers, ranchers, and makers who supply it, a model the organization has held for 17 years and will maintain through every phase of expansion.
Rooted & Rising Gala Event Information:
Date: April 24, 2026 | Location: Tetherow Event Pavilion at 61240 Skyline Ranch Road, Bend Doors open 5:30pm
Purchase at: centraloregonlocavore.org.
Bring It West Micro-Donations At the register:
Central Oregon Locavore: 1841 NE 3rd Street, Bend | Open daily 10am–7pm Online: centraloregonlocavore.
Gala Sponsors include: Discovery West, MCD Homes, Tennant Developments, The Luxe Haus, AV Audio Vision Plus, Tetherow, Branch Brothers Construction, Blissful Heart Wellness Center, KSA Design, St. Charles Health System, Taylor Development, The Source, Bedell-Comstock Bookkeeping & Tax Services, Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
