Hunting-Based Food Donation Programs: Program Characteristics Across the US

Grace LeBleu; Matthew J Landry

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.003

Hunting-Based Food Donation Programs: Program Characteristics Across the US

J Nutr Educ Behav. 2022 Jul;54(7):677-683. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 May 17.

Authors

Grace LeBleu¹, Matthew J Landry²

Affiliations

¹ Graduate Group in Nutritional Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA.
² Stanford Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. Electronic address: matthewlandry@stanford.edu.

PMID: 35595636
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2022.03.003

Abstract

Objective: Hunting-based food donation (HBFD) programs are unique food assistance programs because they provide under-resourced food bank participants with a quality protein source. This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of US HBFD programs and discuss the potential barriers and considerations to use or access these programs.

Methods: Data were collected via a web search for HBFD programs within all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Results: Most states were found to have an active program (n = 36), whereas 14 states and the District of Columbia do not have programs. Game donation amounts vary greatly between states, and funding for these programs typically comes from a government agency.

Conclusions and implications: Hunting-based food donation can positively impact the food security and nutritional status of vulnerable populations. Nutrition professionals can aid in promoting awareness of these programs and provide nutrition education around wild game nutrition, safety, and food preparation.

Keywords: food assistance program; food bank; food donation; food security.

MeSH terms

Animals
Animals, Wild
Food Assistance*
Food Insecurity
Food Security*
Government Programs
Humans
Hunting*
Meat
Nutritional Status
United States