Hunters who feed from Illinois have the chance to deal with meals insecurity all through the state connecting hunters, meat processors and meals pantries.
Through the 2024-25 deer searching season, this system offered 24,278 deer kilos to 54 native meals pantries. The hunters donated 584 deer to 20 native meat processors, rising entry to lean protein within the heart and south of Illinois.
“All of the deer meat that’s donated is saved native, from which we’re actually proud, and the financing that’s collected additionally stays native,” mentioned Kaitlyn Streitmatter, senior supervisor of the training of the Illinois vitamin vitamin help program within the extension of the College of Illinois. “The hunt is occurring domestically, supporting our native households and native meat processors.”
The method begins when a hunter donates meat to a neighborhood meals processor. Streitmatter mentioned this system helps handle the issue of deer discomfort, particularly in areas the place searching is widespread and deer is related to the neighborhood. The hunters who’ve extra meat than they want can donate it to households of their communities.
“It is a approach through which hunters can use their searching ardour after which additionally give again their neighborhood donating the surplus deer they can’t use at house,” mentioned Meredith Probst, or of I Extension Schooling Educator.
After the donation, the hunters who feed Illinois financially assist the meals processors that convert the deer harvested into floor meat. Probst defined that lately the extension of the U of I might reimburse the meat processors, however affiliate with this group helps the reimbursement course of to operate softer.
“With our affiliation with Illinois meals, they’ll truly reimburse our meat processors month-to-month, a weekly base or for a lot of payments that meat processors despatched to Illinois meals, they have been in a position Probst, “mentioned Probst,” mentioned Probst, “mentioned Probst.” Semande.
Streitmatter added that the deer donation program included in Invoice 2160 of the Illinois Senate to additional expedite the refund course of. If permitted, the laws would set up the Hunter Meals Financial institution Fund to assist subsidies in order that meals banks pay processors for donated deer.
Illinois hunters additionally assist meals processors discover meals pantries for associations. I extension of I offers training on deer meat to meals pantries, together with recipes, tastings, meals security directions and brochures to assist clients put together meat at house.
The target is to develop the scope of the Hunters Feeding Illinois program. It has already grown from 11 to 44 counties in three years, however Probst and Streitmatter hope to see that it turns into a state program.
“If a county is , if there’s a meat processor, if there’s a meals pantry, then we’re open to develop to that county,” mentioned Probst, added that the one stipulation is that deer can’t be accepted from the counties that face power put on illness. “If the county doesn’t have CWD, you may donate to an related meat processor inside the program, in any of the taking part counties.”
Hunters, meat processors or meals pantry fascinated by getting concerned can go to extension.illinois.edu/meals/hunters-feeding-illinois for extra info. Donations to the Hunters Feeding Illinois program may also be accomplished by the web site.
This story was distributed by a cooperative venture between the Illinois Agriculture Workplace and the Illinois Press Affiliation. For extra meals and agriculture information, go to Farmweeknow.com.
