Southeast Missouri Food Bank continues ‘Share the Harvest’ program

SOUTHEAST MISSOURI(KBSI) – Missouri’s Share the Harvest program is helping feed needy families again this year.

The program allows deer hunters to donate venison to families and individuals facing hunger in their communities.

The program is able to run successfully through collaboration of different state and federal entities. Administered by the Conservation Federation of Missouri in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Share the Harvest covers the cost of processing donated meat.

“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 not only helps fill this critical need but also allows hunters to give back to their communities while preventing food waste.”

Hunters who like to participate simply need to take their harvested deer to an approved meat processor and state how much venison they wish to donate.

Hunters in the CWD Management Zone must have their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease.

Approved meat processors in the Southeast Missouri area are listed

Elderland Meats in Zalma

Ole Bandit LLC in Wappapello 

Walker’s Meat Processing in Fredericktown 

Stonie’s Sausage Shop in Perryville

Oberle Meats in Ste. Genevieve

Piedmont Processing in Piedmont

For more information, visit https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/deer/share-harvest.

After a deer has been donated and processed, the meat is then distributed to one of the food bank’s partner agencies to be distributed to families and individuals facing hunger.

Last year in 2023 2,675 pounds were donated to SEMO Food Bank through the Share the Harvest program.