Ben Marsh founded Around the Bend Farms with a dream.

He believed in a world where anyone — regardless of who they were, where they lived or the color of their skin — would have access to healthy food. He was especially concerned with growing food for those with limited or no access to fresh, nutritious produce.

Nine years after founding the nonprofit as a one-man show, Marsh said he sometimes has to pinch himself when he thinks about what Around The Bend Farms has achieved.

The organization has expanded to a four-person executive team and most recently, focused on collaborating with the Warm Springs community to develop a sustainable food system.

What began as a conversation about food access with the tribes has evolved into a working relationship. Plans are taking shape for a farmers market in partnership with tribal members, in addition to supplying Warm Springs’ homeless shelter and food bank with fresh food.

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Fundraiser

On Thursday, Around the Bend Farms hosts the Farm-to-Warm Springs Fundraiser at Aspen Hall in Bend’s Shevlin Park, with all proceeds benefitting projects that will grow and transport fresh produce to Warm Springs.

Funds will be used to pay for farm supplies and tools such as seeders, greenhouse covering, a walk-behind tractor and farm labor. The team is also working with the tribes to build a 3-acre plot with fertile soil that will be used to grow food for the Warm Springs community for years to come, according to the website.

The fundraiser includes a live auction, raffle and hors d’oeuvres such as wild salmon, bison meatballs, locally made sourdough and foraged cobbler.

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Food as unity

Marsh continues to be driven by his dream of improving access to fresh, nutritious produce. He’s not just lowering barriers, he said.

“We’re erasing them,” Marsh said. “There shouldn’t be any barriers to accessing good healthy food.”

Marsh considers food a catalyst that calls people to remember their connectedness to each other and the community at large.

“Good food is more than just merely satisfying a biological energy requirement. Food is culture. Food is heritage. Food is community. Food is unity,” he said.

If You Go

What: Farm-to-Warm Springs Fundraiser

When: 5-8 p.m. Thursday

Where: Aspen Hall, 18920 NW Shevlin Park Road, Bend

Cost: $50

Contact: aroundthebendfarms.org, 541-668-2443, @aroundthebendfarms on Instagram, Around The Bend Farms, Inc on Facebook and AroundTheBendFarms on X

Good food is more than just merely satisfying a biological energy requirement. Food is culture. Food is heritage. Food is community. Food is unity.