Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) advises hunters who plan to donate deer this season to check with their local meat processor for changes related to COVID-19.

“The impact of COVID-19 on some of the larger commercial processing plants in locations across the country has had a trickle-down impact on many local butchers and meat markets,” said FHFH Executive Director Josh Wilson.

“There are some meat processing locations that are completely booked with livestock processing until well into the new year – and as a result some have opted to pause the deer processing portion of their business until they are caught up.

“With more people than usual depending on food assistance programs and ministries due to the pandemic, we are encouraging all hunters to plan ahead and make sure they can continue to donate their deer this season.”

Check with your local processor or meat market now to become aware of any potential changes due to COVID-19. If the processor you normally use is not handling deer this season, look around for alternate locations to donate deer.

Click here for a list of participating butcher shops that work with FHFH on venison donations