Hunters asked to donate meat to Share the Harvest program

SIKESTON, Mo. (KBSI) – Missouri’s Share the Harvest program allows deer hunters to donate venison to individuals facing hunger in their communities.

“Protein is one of our most-requested items, but it is also one of the most expensive and difficult to source,” said Joey Keys, chief executive officer of Southeast Missouri Food Bank. “The Share the Harvest program is a great way for local hunters to give back to their communities and avoid waste.”

The program is administered by the Conservation Federation of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Processing costs of the donated meat will be covered.

To participate, the hunter needs to take the deer to an approved meat processor and tell them how much venison you want to donate.

In SEMO Food Bank’s service area, the approved meat processors are: Elderland Meats in Zalma, Jackson Frozen Foods in Jackson, Ole Bandit LLC in Wappapello, Ozark Meats in Grandin, Walker’s Meat Processing in Fredericktown, Stonie’s Sausage Shop in Perryville, Oberle Meats in Ste. Genevieve and Piedmont Processing in Piedmont.

The meat will then be distributed to one of the food bank’s partner agencies. According to SEMO Food Bank, more than 25,000 pounds were donated in 2022.

Related story:

Nearly 250K pounds of venison donated through Share the Harvest program