This year, Growing Ancestral Roots grew in ways we could only imagine—and in ways we were called to respond.
We planted the beginning of a meat and egg farm, producing 380 dozen eggs in just 6 months. What began with chicks born in February became nourishment for our community, made possible with support from IHN and the Oregon Food Bank.
We expanded food growing and food contracting, supporting Latina farmers through the Kroger Foundation to grow and give away weekly fresh, organic produce. The need was overwhelming. We could not serve everyone—and that reality pushed us to dream bigger and commit to expanding this work in 2026.
This year also brought crisis. ICE enforcement intensified fear in our community, layered onto systems that already were not serving our families. In response, we adapted. In November, we launched winter food boxes, using the food pantry, coordinating packing and delivery so families could receive food safely. While pantry resources were limited—especially fresh vegetables, black beans, and now masa—we did everything we could, fundraising weekly, to meet people where they were.
Culturas Unidas also took a major step forward as a food producer collective. We successfully completed 3 large catering events , grew our online ordering, participated in multiple festivals, and entered the Co-op, supported by Seeding Justice, OCF, and ARPA funding through HB 5006 known as the South Corvallis Food Hub Grant Program. These milestones were about more than sales—they were about visibility, dignity, and building long-term sustainability.
Most importantly, we invested in people. Three community leaders stepped into new leadership opportunities, growing confident and empowered through trainings and conferences supported by the OCF Latino Partnership Program and OCFSN. Their growth is crucial to the future of this work.
This year reminded us why we do what we do. Food is not just food—it is culture, safety, dignity, and care.
Thank you to our farmers, cooks, leaders, partners, funders, friends and families. This work belongs to all of us.
With gratitude and strength
