Purpose

“Cascades Cannery is a Bend‑based nonprofit preserving local abundance to improve food security and farmer resilience.”

Our Story

Cascades Cannery was born from the simple truth that Central Oregon grows more good food than often makes it to the table. Every season, local farms work tirelessly to grow fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs—yet weather, market swings, and logistics mean that thousands of pounds of perfectly good produce risk going to waste.

We (James and Maegen) saw this firsthand through our own family farm. As parents of three raising food in Bend’s high desert, we understand both the challenges of farming and the need for reliable, nourishing food in our community. We asked: What if there was a way to preserve the abundance of our fields so it could last all year, feed more people, and support the very farms that grow it?

From that question, Cascades Cannery was founded. With grit, determination, and community support, we turned an idea into a nonprofit preserving local harvests into jams, pickles, sauces, soups, and more. These products serve a dual purpose: they stock food pantries with high-quality preserved goods, and they create retail items that generate income to sustain the mission.

Our story is about more than jars on a shelf. It’s about honoring the work of farmers, reducing food waste, and ensuring that Central Oregon families have access to the bounty grown here.

We believe that when farmers, neighbors, and nonprofits work together, food security becomes possible. By preserving what matters, we’re strengthening the roots of our local food system for the future.

Our Model: Closing the Loop on Local Abundance

Cascades Cannery operates at the intersection of farming, food access, and preservation. Our model is simple, but powerful:

1. Capture Surplus
Every year, Central Oregon farms grow more food than the market can absorb. Surplus may come from bumper harvests, unpredictable weather, or produce that doesn’t fit cosmetic standards. Instead of letting it go to waste, we coordinate with farms and gleaning partners to gather it quickly and safely.

2. Preserve at Scale
In our licensed commercial kitchen, we turn this abundance into shelf-stable foods—jams, pickles, sauces, soups—that meet strict food safety standards. Our process follows FDA and ODA requirements, with Process Authority approvals and recall plans in place.

3. Share & Sell
We distribute preserved goods through two channels:

  • Donations: Supplying food banks and meal programs with nutrient-dense, ready-to-use products.

  • Sales: Offering premium preserved goods on local store shelves, generating earned revenue that sustains our operations.

4. Reinvest in the Food System
Income from product sales supports more preservation, creates value for farmers, and strengthens community food access. By reinvesting in infrastructure, training, and partnerships, we build resilience into the local food system year after year.

Team & Board

  • James Radnich — President

  • Maegen Hindson — Director of Programs

  • Jesse Hindson — Treasurer/Secretary

  • TBD - Community Outreach Coordinator

  • TBD - Volunteer Coordinator

    * We are looking to add community members to grow this mission