Our Story
Ten Rivers Food Web works across Benton, Lincoln, and Linn Counties of Oregon to steward the growth of a resilient food web.
We envision a vibrant regional food web where reciprocal relationships sustain a thriving food economy, steward land and water, and produce delicious food to nourish our whole community.
small to medium-sized
food producers that grow and sell
in Benton, Lincoln, and Linn counties
using just practices
that are economically, socially,
and environmentally sustainable
including food processors
and other businesses that support
the local food system
Who We Serve:
Our History
We would not be where we are today without the passion, inquiry, probing, dedication, and tireless efforts of all the volunteers, staff, and community members that participated in the inception and evolution of Ten Rivers Food Web. Thank you for laying the foundation before us; we appreciate you for it.
What began as conversations and concern regarding the increasing number of people experiencing hunger and food insecurity in 2005 grew into the full-fledged non-profit, named Ten Rivers Food Web, by 2007.
In 2008, the first Fill Your Pantry event was held, enabling the community to buy in bulk and eat local food throughout the winter.
In 2011, the Fred Meyer Memorial Trust awarded $300,000 over a three-year period to hire an executive director and three county-specific community food organizers that would develop new programming. SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) were increased at Benton, Lincoln and Linn county farmers markets, That's My Farmer Rx was launched (Oregon’s first fruit and vegetable prescription program), the Bean and Grain Project was developed, transitioning grass seed land into high caloric food production, a Community Food Land Trust was conceived, and much more.
Started in 1987 by members of the Organic Gardening Club, the Soil Amendment Sale transitioned to Ten Rivers Food Web in 2014, enabling local farmers and gardeners to order soil amendments at bulk prices.
Today we are an all-volunteer operation and we are grateful to everyone who makes our two annual cornerstone events, the Soil Amendment Sale and Fill Your Pantry, a success every year, and to our board that is working diligently to expand programming.
What's in a Name?
We are named for the ten rivers that flow through our service area of Benton, Lincoln and Linn Counties. Those rivers are the Alsea, Calapooia, Long Tom, Luckiamute, Marys, North and South Santiam, Siletz, Willamette, Yachats, and Yaquina. Our name speaks to the interdependence of healthy soil, water, plants, animals, and humans. It is our responsibility to steward ALL threads of the web as we strive for resilience - we depend upon each other to flourish.
