The shelves at the New Hampshire Food Bank remain bare

Hunters may also have their game processed by their own butcher if they would like to donate a portion of their meat, rather than the whole animal. Michele, advises that packages be clearly marked as to the type of game and the cut of meat enclosed, for example, Deer - venison roast, Moose - stew meat, or Pheasant - breast meat, etc. Game can be wrapped in clear plastic wrap or butcher paper. They will accept game that is fresh or frozen. However, they prefer to receive it frozen in order to help guarantee freshness and quality.

Although the New Hampshire Food Bank accepts a wide variety of game meats (deer, bear, moose, gray squirrel, rabbit, woodchuck, upland game birds and waterfowl species), the exceptions are as follows: Bear must already be processed as the Food Bank’s butcher will not handle it. Also, fowl of all types must also be processed or breasted out because that meat is not handled by their butcher either.

"Hunt for the Hungry is a great way for hunters to share their harvest to help needy families get through the winter months," said Donald S. Clarke, Acting Executive Director of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. "Wild game is a renewable resource that is high in protein, low in fat and 100 percent organic, not to mention delicious."

A hunter herself, New Hampshire Food Bank Operations Manager, Michele Garron, hopes to be successful in the field this season so that she can contribute some venison to the program. "We are really counting on New Hampshire’s hunters and backyard farmers to support the Food Bank. This year has been particularly difficult for us because there has been a trend, over the past two years, of decreasing food donations. We are really struggling. Corporate donations to the Food Bank have been down in recent years because increased efficiencies leave less product left over to pass along. Donations of protein foods have been especially hard to come by," she stated.

The crisis at the New Hampshire Food Bank has indeed worsened in recent weeks with an inventory at an all time low and food coming in at a very slow pace. The Food Bank currently only has 174,000 pounds of food on hand and a majority of that is water, candy and sugary drinks. On October 31, the NHFB was forced to release emergency pantry packs, usually held for natural disasters, fires, etc. These packs contain a week’s supply of food for a family of four.  The NHFB continues to search for new sources of foods to provide to the 345 current agencies and the New Hampshire community has shown great compassion during these difficult times with food drives and benefits. 

The Hunt for the Hungry program is an excellent opportunity for our state’s sportsmen and women to show their compassion by contributing whole or a portion of their wild game harvest. And, one other thing. Anglers can also contribute to the program with their donations of fish. For more information on the New Hampshire Food bank, readers can visit their website at: www.nhfoodbank.org. Good luck afield this season.