Our History
Local Matters co-founders Michael Jones and Noreen Warnock first met in the summer of 2005. Each had followed different, but equally passionate, roads to their initial meeting, sitting in two rusted, white chairs under a shaded tree. Despite their separate journeys, they quickly discovered a shared love of food and a concern about how our food was being grown, distributed, and consumed. This was (and is) having a direct impact on the health of our bodies, our land, and our community.
To read more about Michael and Noreen’s individual journey’s leading up to founding Local Matters, click here.
After that first conversation, neither Michael nor Noreen knew what Local Matters would ultimately become. However, they were clear about what Local Matters needed to be: a response to a food system that just doesn’t work very well. Food systems can make it challenging for communities in need to gain access to healthful foods; a food system can make it difficult for small and mid-size farmers to compete in the marketplace; a food system can perpetuate generations of children whose lives will be negatively impacted by obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Following a series of conversations and through lots of engagement with community partners, Michael and Noreen chose the creation and implementation of a healthful food education curriculum for young children as a place to begin Local Matters' journey. This curriculum (now our Food Matters program) drew from their collective expertise in public health, food preparation, community organizing, and food system logistics. This set the foundation and vision for our organization.
Fast forward to today, through the work of dedicated staff and board members, Local Matters is a recognized leader and community collaborator, increasing critical healthful food education and food access to combat food insecurity and diet-related diseases, particularly in low-income communities.
Annual Reports
Annual reports provide a year in review, celebrate accomplishments, and acknowledge supporters who make our work possible.
To view Local Matters’ 990 and other financial information, please view our Guidestar profile.
2022 Annual Report
Click here for the 2022 Annual Report
2020 Annual Report
Click here for the 2020 Annual Report
2018 Annual Report
Click here for the 2018 Annual Report