Bend restaurants partner with local farmers for tasty menu

Ever wonder where the food you eat comes from? Well, now you have the chance to find out. The local non-profit Central Oregon Locavore created a Meet Your Farmer dinner series, including an event held Monday night.

The dinners happen once or twice a month, from fall to spring, and give foodies the chance to meet the local farmers who produce their food while enjoying a great meal.

Monday’s dinner was at El Sancho Taco Shop in Bend. The five courses included lengua taquitos, chicken tamale, birria, pork chop adobado, and choco Taco.

The farm-to-table concept helps the community boost local sales and ensure that people are eating fresh, seasonal food.

“Local food taste better, it has more nutritional value, it contributes to the local economy and it’s more sustainable,” said Nicolle Timm, founder and president of Central Oregon Locavore.

For the dinner, HolmesStead Ranch provided El Sanchos with the meat. Timm is passionate about using local farmer,s because they provide more land and happier lives for animals.

“The way they are raised makes a big difference. Big commercial outfits, they have to squeeze a lot of animals into a small space. Fortunately, we don’t have to do this,” explained HolmesStead Ranch owner Mike Holmes.

“We get pretty good meat on a daily basis, but to be able to work with this meat is a luxury for sure,” said El Sancho’s co-owner, Jon Barvals.

Both the restaurateur and farmer agreed they enjoy working together and are interested in partnering in the future.

The Meet Your Farmer Dinner is one of Central Oregon Locavore’s many projects. The organization will be hosting a Community Supper on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m.

You can find out more about the organization by visiting its website at www.centraloregonlocavore.org/