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Let's strengthen our roots. Together.

A golden beetroot and some carrots. At the top of the image is the name Food Roots with logo of a striped beet. Text at the bottom reads Let's strength our roots. Together.

Dear Friends,


For over 18 years, with your support, Food Roots has been an integral part of our local food system—a place of connection, collaboration, community, and friendship. We’ve helped growers expand their operations, introduced students to local farmers and their produce, and supported access to fresh, local food for our community.


Food Roots has experienced exciting growth over the past several years. Like many businesses and nonprofits today, however, we’ve faced financial and operational challenges that impacted our ability to sustain the same volume of work that we have built up to. Across the country, organizations like ours have had to adapt quickly to shifting funding landscapes, rising costs, and increased competition. Despite our best efforts, we couldn’t pivot fast enough to maintain all of our programs and staff.


Although we made strategic decisions abruptly and compassionately in order to continue the crucial foundation of our mission to grow a robust and equitable food system in Tillamook County, they were not without consequence to many. To those of you negatively impacted, we want to again express our heartfelt empathy, and to our community at large, we apologize for not communicating more consistently throughout these changes. Thank you to each of you who has remained engaged and invested in our future—we remain excited to explore potential collaborations.


What Comes Next

Just as strong roots adapt under pressure, we are doing our best to evolve to ensure Food Roots can continue to provide impactful support and resources for our local food economy.


Here’s what that means moving forward:


1) Communication & Re-growth

We recognize the need to adapt to a changing nonprofit landscape while staying true to our mission. Our priority is to make thoughtful, strategic decisions towards sustainable growth and share our progress along the way. 


2) Community Listening & Engagement

We are eager to connect with our community about your ideas for the future of Food Roots. We will be reaching out with opportunities to reflect and discuss your needs to make sure Food Roots can provide strong, relevant, and impactful contributions towards our local food system.


3) Focusing on What Works

While some programs have concluded or changed, our core mission to grow a robust and equitable food system in Tillamook County remains. We are dedicated to strengthening the initiatives that drive the most impact to help guarantee that local farmers, food producers, and families continue to benefit from our work.


Why This Matters

A strong local food system supports everyone. Farmers and producers need their neighbors to be regular customers. Families need affordable, fresh food. Small businesses and restaurants rely on a thriving local supply chain and loyal patrons. In short, keeping our food economy local and connected is key. The work we do is about more than promoting awareness—it’s about building economic and community resilience. And each of you is such a part of this.


Throughout our history of projects and partnerships, we’ve been continually reminded of the importance of collaboration and cross-pollination. Food Roots needs our community to engage, invest, and work with us to ensure we can continue supporting Tillamook County’s food producers and consumers for years to come.


Join Us in Growing Forward

To those who have stood by us—local farmers, business owners, funders, donors, volunteers, teachers, organizational partners, and neighbors—thank you. Your trust, patience, and support have made this work possible.


As we step forward, we do so with practical optimism and a refreshed commitment to our community. Let’s work together to continue cultivating a more empowered, resilient, and economically sustainable food system in Tillamook County.


With our deepest gratitude and hope for the future,


The Food Roots Staff & Board



Want to reach us? We'd love to hear from you.

Call us: 503-815-2800


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