Our Mission

Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to support a healthy and thriving food and farm network in Central Oregon through education, collaboration and inclusion.

Our vision is a prosperous food and farm network with equitable access for all Central Oregonians.

To us, this means farmers and ranchers are paid fair market value for their products, residents can access food that nourishes themselves and their families, and our local economy remains strong while supporting equitable food access for everyone in our community.

To achieve this, HDFFA will:

  • Partner with the farmers, ranchers, and food producers who grow, raise, and make our food to ensure it is accessible to all.

  • Collaborate with mission-aligned organizations, including health care and community partners, to strengthen and improve our regional food system.

  • Honor the lived experience and expertise of farmers and ranchers, as well as residents who have experienced or continue to experience food insecurity.

  • Advocate for policies and programs that advance equitable, sustainable food access across Central Oregon.

Founded in 2010 and formally established in 2012, the High Desert Food & Farm Alliance works to address barriers to food access and local food production in Central Oregon’s high desert region. We believe everyone deserves good food—defined as affordable, nutritious, culturally preferred food that is easy to access and sustainably produced right here in our community.

Our Work

Much of our work happens on the ground in Central Oregon communities, guided by the needs identified by our partners and community members. Our core programs are designed to improve food security and access for all, while supporting the farmers and ranchers who grow, raise, and craft good food.

We partner with regional organizations to expand access to locally produced food, recognizing that many people experiencing food insecurity have been marginalized by systems and policies that fail to meet their needs. Our work bridges traditional food security efforts with long-term food system solutions. We do this by purchasing fresh food directly from local farmers and ranchers for our food access programs, providing education on how to shop for, prepare, and cook with local foods, and supporting agricultural producers in ways that strengthen their long-term viability while nourishing the community.

Our Beliefs

  • We believe everyone deserves good food, and that food is a powerful connector—bringing people, cultures, and communities together.

  • We believe Central Oregon’s farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our local food system, and their work should be valued, supported, and sustained.

  • We believe community voices matter, and that the lived experience of program participants and community members strengthens our work and makes our programs more relevant and effective.

  • We believe leadership grows through collaboration, and that together with our community, HDFFA can cultivate the next generation of leaders in Central Oregon’s food system.