Hummingbird Wholesale (HW) is a family-owned, organic bulk dried food business with regular distribution from San Francisco to Seattle. Julie Tilt is co-owner with her husband Charlie. HW has prioritized sourcing local and regional foods from the beginning, and aims to support and inspire a thriving local food network in our region. In acknowledgement for taking financial risks with the farmers, and working hard to find markets for local crops, HW was recently awarded the Eugene Mayor’s Bold Steps Award, the Oregon Organic Coalition’s Award for Excellence in the Wholesaler category, and was chosen as a delegate to the Slow Food, Terra Madre International Conference in Turin, Italy. HW is also on this year’s list of the 100 best green companies to work for in Oregon. Hummingbird Wholesale has been working with local farmers in the Willamette Valley to grow organic beans, grains and seeds for over 10 years. The company currently has 8 farmers growing in the valley, four of which are grass seedfarmers who have converted conventional land to organic. Sustainability is integrated at every level of the organization, from mission statement to company policy, to packaging and transportation systems. Hummingbird also has a strong social equity commitment to hiring and retaining a diverse staff.
