North Valley Food Bank updates game processing protocols
Mark Schmidt processes meat Friday morning at North Valley Food Bank while other volunteers work doing the same. The meat will be distributed to the food bank’s clients in the form of roasts and hamburger. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot)
With hunting season underway, North Valley Food Bank in Whitefish is starting its wild game processing program. Since last season, the food bank has updated its processing protocols. Only legally and ethically harvested deer, elk, wild bison, moose and antelope will be accepted. Animals must be gutted in a timely manner and held at a safe temperature. If gut-shot, the animal must be cleaned properly. The food bank prefers to receive animals that have been quartered already. Further, they require that all deer and elk are tested for chronic wasting disease. Roadkill cannot be accepted from the public, only from Fish, Wildlife and Parks personnel or law enforcement. Hunters who would like to drop off an animal must bring a validated carcass tag and chronic wasting disease testing ID number.
The food bank participates in the Hunters Against Hunger program of the Montana Food Bank Network. The Network and FWP run the statewide program, in which hunters who legally harvest wild game can donate all or part of their meat to feed hungry Montanans. Anyone who purchases a Montana hunting license has the opportunity to make an on-the-spot donation to Hunters Against Hunger to help with processing and distribution costs.
At North Valley Food Bank, donated animals will be processed by a team of wild game processing volunteers and the Network will reimburse up to $3 per pound for finished grind.
“Protein, especially high-quality protein like wild game, can be expensive and unattainable for some of our customers, especially those who aren’t hunters,” said Lauren Jarrold, director of operations. “In a culture where meat is an essential component of our daily diet and hunting is a tradition, we are proud to facilitate the processing and distribution of wild game.”
The food bank also is looking for an individual with hunting experience who is interested in overseeing processing. The contracted position is hourly paid and perfect for an experienced hunter, who is interested in supporting efforts to end hunger in the community.
Before dropping off an animal, make sure to speak with Jarrold. She can also discuss the contracted processor position. She can be reached at lauren@northvalleyfoodbank.org, or 406-862-5863, press 2. North Valley Food Bank is located at 251 Flathead Avenue in Whitefish. More information can be found at northvalleyfoodbank.org.