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Since 2004, Minnesota has had a policy whereby hunters could donate venison to food shelves and feeding programs. From 2004 through 2006, 1,200 deer were processed and distributed to charitable organizations through the efforts of volunteers including hunters, meat processors, community members, businesses and organizations.
In 2007, the Minnesota legislature funded a program that will facilitate the donation of harvested deer to food shelves. To pay for the program, a one-time appropriation of $160,000 came from the general fund and the cost of non-resident hunting licenses was increased by $5. Next year, the cost of the bonus permit will increase by $1, which should bring in approximately $160,000/year. Additionally, at the time of deer license purchase, hunters will be asked if they want to voluntarily donate $1, $3, or $5 to the program and any interested individual can also donate by visiting one of 1,800 Electronic Licensing System agents statewide. The Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture administrate the program. With this new funding, there is no cost to the hunter to process the deer and processors will be reimbursed $70 for each deer they send to the food shelf.
TO PARTICIPATE
Donating to a Food Shelf
There are six regional food banks in Minnesota and nearly 300 food shelves in localities throughout the state. To donate to a food shelf, the venison must come from a MDA-certified processor approved for this program. A complete list of those processors with location and phone numbers can be accessed by going to http://www.mda.state.mn.us/licensing/meategg/venisondonation.htm
The deer should be field dressed, cleaned and cooled as quickly as possible. Hunters and processors must adhere to specific standards designed to prevent food-borne illness:
At the meat processor, the hunter will be asked to fill out a short gift form for the DNR plus name and address for MDA records. Total paperwork time is minimal, taking only 5 to 10 minutes. There will be no charge to the hunter for processing. The venison will be boned out, ground, frozen and delivered to a food shelf registered with the regional food bank and MDA.
Again, hunters must have their deer processed at a Minnesota Department of Agriculture-registered meat processing plant who has agreed to participate in the program. Hunters are strongly advised to contact the processor before bringing in a deer to make sure they are still able to handle the animal.
Only entire carcasses with the hide attached can be donated. Cut and wrapped meat will not be accepted for donation. Processors may only accept carcasses for donation that are:
- Free from signs of illness
- Field dressed with the hide intact
- Free of visible decomposition or contamination
- Properly identified with a Minnesota DNR registration tag
- Processors will reject deer for the donation program that appear to have been mishandled in any way.
Donating to an Individual
To give a deer, or portion of a deer, as a gift to an individual, the hunter needs to follow DNR regulations. “Gifts” are described on page 29 of the 2007 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Manual “Lawfully taken wild animals may be transferred as a gift if accompanied by a receipt containing: name and address of the owner; name and address of the recipient, date of transfer, description of the gift (for example: ‘Three 1-pound venison steaks’) and the license number under which the animal was taken. The receipt must remain with the gift.” If you have further questions about donating venison to an individual, you should contact the DNR.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS
Venison Donation Minnesota
This web site is dedicated to providing information to those who wish to donate venison, receive venison, or contribute to, the venison donation program in Minnesota. It is supported by volunteers who believe in the program and whose goal is to provide a service to hunters and those who feed the hungry. If you do not find the information you need in these web pages, send an email and a volunteer will respond to your inquiry.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
The DNR manages the deer herd in the state. For questions about rules and regulations, contact staff at the wildlife office near you.
Lou Cornicelli, coordinator of the big game division, is a member of the venison donation team and is working on funding for the program. If you, or an organization you work with, would consider helping with the costs of processing donated deer, contact him at:
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Minnesota Department of Agriculture
MDA, Meat Inspection Division, is in charge of licensing and making certain meat is processed correctly. A fact sheet has been developed for meat processors interested in being certified for the program. Nicole Neeser is program manager for meat inspection and part of the team working with the Venison Donation Policy; you can contact her at:
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University of Minnesota's Extension Service
For information about safe handling, preperation, and recipies for game meats including venison, visit the University of Minnesota's Extension Service.
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