Farmers Ending Hunger marks 20 years at Pendleton Round-Up
Published 11:00 am Wednesday, September 16, 2026
John Burt, executive director of Farmers Ending Hunger, hangs a banner Sept. 13, 2017, for Farmers Ending Hunger Day at the organization’s booth inside the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds. The local nonprofit on Sept. 16, 2026, at the Pendleton Round-Up marks 20 years of feeding Oregon families. (East Oregonian/File)
PENDLETON — Farmers Ending Hunger is celebrating two decades of bringing together Oregon’s agricultural community, food organizations and supporters to help fight hunger across the state.
The nonprofit marks its 20th anniversary Wednesday, Sep. 16, during Farmers Ending Hunger Day at the Pendleton Round-Up.
“Farmers Ending Hunger is a reflection of the generosity and character of Oregon’s agricultural community,” Farmers Ending Hunger Executive Director John Burt said in a press release. “For 20 years, Oregon farmers and ranchers have stepped forward to donate over 43 million pounds of fresh local food. They have provided their time, resources and commitment to making sure our neighbors have access to nutritious food. Farmers Ending Hunger Day at the Pendleton Round-Up is the perfect place to celebrate that legacy and look ahead to the work still to come.”
Eastern Oregon resident Fred Ziari created the nonprofit Farmers Ending Hunger in 2004 when he learned Oregon was one of the hungriest states in the country. Farmers Ending Hunger works with farmers and ranchers who donate local food, such as wheat, beef, potatoes, onions and cherries, to help feed hungry families in Oregon via the Oregon Food Bank’s distribution network and other community food banks.
“Twenty years is an incredible milestone, but it’s also a reminder that the work continues,” according to Ziari. “We are grateful to everyone who has helped make Farmers Ending Hunger what it is today, and we invite Oregonians to join us in building an even stronger solution to ending hunger.”
For information on how to donate to Farmers Ending Hunger, visit farmersendinghunger.com.