News  Help MassWildlife combat hunger this giving season

November marks the arrival of crisp autumn air, the excitement of fall hunting, and the start of the giving season. In celebration of all 3 seasons, MassWildlife is proud to announce that the Hunters Share the Harvest venison donation program has expanded in 2024. This impactful program provides the opportunity for hunters to donate and share venison with those in need, while supporting forest conservation by utilizing hunting to manage deer populations.

Fittingly, the Share the Harvest Program was first launched on Thanksgiving Day 2022. In its pilot year more than 3,000 meals were distributed to 378 families through the Food4Vets program. By the end of the 2023 deer hunting season, 3 participating venison processors and 5 food distribution organizations joined the effort, and another 17,800 nutritious meals were given to families struggling with food insecurity. Heading into the 2024 season, we now have 10 participating processors and 14 food distribution organizations spread across Massachusetts. Thanks to generous hunters, we expect a record number of donated deer this year, leading to new milestones for meals distributed through this program to families in need.

In addition to providing an organic, low-carbon source of lean protein to families facing food insecurity across the Commonwealth, this program has also been useful at facilitating conversations with the public about the importance of regulated deer hunting to ecosystem conservation. High deer densities negatively affect forest health through overbrowsing vegetation and can result in significant agricultural damage for local farmers. With help from this venison donation program, licensed hunters can continue to play an important role in deer management even after their freezers are full as they have an outlet to donate deer to those in need. 

Partner spotlight: Daniel’s Table

Daniel’s Table, a distribution partner added in 2023, is an incredible community resource for Framingham. They provide almost 400,000 full meals annually through their weekly farmer’s market, onsite food services, 20+ community freezers, grocery delivery, and more. Their farmer's market is a unique program where approved families choose what produce and proteins they would like based on their allotment. Of particular interest are their live cooking demonstrations held during farmer’s markets by professional cooks who teach recipient families how to cook the different products available. This is always a concern for wild game donation programs, especially for immigrant families to whom the food products might be unknown. After Daniel’s Table conducted a demonstration with donated venison, it became one of the first items to run out each week due to high demand.  

Support MassWildlife's Hunters Share the Harvest Program

This program would not be possible without the participating processors and the incredible donation of harvested deer by hunters. Essential monetary, equipment, and logistical support has been provided by the Berkshire County League of Sportsmen, Massachusetts Conservation Alliance, Middleboro Sportsmens Club, Plymouth County League of Sportsmen, Safari Club International New England Foundation, Schwab Charitable Foundation, Somerset Sportsman's Club Inc, Worcester County League of Sportsmen, and individual donors like you! If you’re interested in donating this giving season or would like to know more about the Hunters Share the Harvest Program, please visit mass.gov/sharetheharvest.