Environment DEC
From the December 2004 issue
DEC Reminds Hunters about Benefits of Donating Venison
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Erin M. Crotty reminds sportsmen and sportswomen across New York State that they can contribute venison to help feed the hungry by taking deer to participating meat processors and donating meat to the Venison Donation Coalition. "The Venison Donation Program has proven to be a very successful and popular way for hunters to help food banks meet demand, while also helping to control deer populations," Commissioner Crotty said.
Venison Donation Coalition
Two DEC employees
inspect deer carcasses
The Venison Donation Coalition was established in the year 2000 to help organizations that wanted to begin or enhance venison donation programs in their areas. Many statewide and local sporting groups are involved, including: the New York State Conservation Council; the Western New York Safari Club; the Westchester County Bowhunters, and the Columbia, Greene, Dutchess and Schenectady county sportsmen federations, to name a few.
The Venison Donation
Coalition works with
food banks and
food pantries to
distribute the meat
In just four years, over 250,000 pounds of venison have been donated, processed and distributed through New York State's food bank network. That equates to one million servings of venison in four short years. Paul Hesler, Director of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, said, "We can't keep it in the freezer."
When hunters donate their venison through participating processors, they are not charged for processing services. "It's a great program all the way around," said Venison Donation Coalition President Greg Heffner. Participating processors can be located by contacting the Venison Donation Coalition at 1-866-862-3337 (DEER), or by checking the web sites below.
Donate a Dollar
Recent legislation was enacted giving DEC the authority to enable people to contribute a dollar to the Venison Donation Program when they purchase their sporting licenses. DEC's Automated Licensing System (DECALS) will accept such donations beginning next fall.
