Wyoming families are seeing a new way to fight hunger as the state’s Food From The Field program gets underway this hunting season. The initiative, created by Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon, partners with the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, the Wyoming Department of Agriculture and a network of eleven meat processors to move donated game meat directly to food pantries.
How the program works
When a hunter harvests an animal, the carcass must first be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD). After clearance, the hunter completes a simple Hunter Log Sheet and delivers the animal to one of the participating processors. Those processors handle the butchering and packaging, then send the meat to food‑pantry partners throughout the state.
Hunters can donate all or part of their harvest. If they are unable to cover the processing fees, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative steps in, using proceeds from Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) Commissioners Tags to pay the remaining costs.
Why the program matters
Food insecurity touches every corner of Wyoming. The program’s mission states that “where there’s a hungry child, a hungry family, senior, or veteran isn’t far away.” By turning surplus game into nutritious protein, the effort aims to reduce grocery‑bill pressure for families that rely on food‑pantry assistance.
Local anti‑hunger organizations benefit from a steady supply of high‑quality meat, allowing them to expand their services without additional fundraising for protein sources. The collaboration also raises awareness of the broader hunger issue, encouraging more community members to get involved.
Getting involved
Hunters interested in participating can download a handbook that outlines each step of the donation process. The program also offers a short video that explains how the system works and highlights success stories from previous seasons.
Beyond hunters, anyone can support the effort by contributing financially to cover processing costs or by volunteering at partner food pantries. The combined effort of hunters, state agencies and community volunteers creates a reliable pipeline of food for those in need.
Looking ahead
As the hunting season progresses, organizers hope to increase the number of participating processors and expand outreach to additional food‑pantry locations. The ultimate goal is to make hunger a solvable problem across Wyoming, reinforcing the state’s tradition of self‑reliance and neighborly assistance.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
