In 2008, I sent an email to what is now known as the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, inquiring about the possibility of a Hunters Helping the Hungry program in Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2010, I followed it up after learning that a chapter had been started in Nova Scotia, and my daughter and I thought, why not in Newfoundland and Labrador? The reply that I received was negative, but decided that I would press on.
In 2012, I co-founded a conservation group, now called the Newfoundland Outdoor Heritage Coalition Inc. Our first meeting was with then wildlife minister Joan Burke, and I have met with most of the ministers in that portfolio since, with my request falling on deaf ears. From almost the beginning, I indicated that we were not looking for one dollar from the government, but merely a change in the amendment to the Wildlife Act that would allow the meat to change possession three times.
A few weeks ago, I called “Open Line.” That’s when I was contacted by Debbie Wiseman of the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador, who offered assistance. She has started a successful petition on change.org
Two years ago, I conducted my own survey and 22 of 23 food banks contacted said if they had the freezer capacity, they would participate if it became legal.
We were interviewed by local media, and after Eg Walters of the Community Food Sharing Association threw in his support, then minister Gerry Byrne made the announcement that he would finally change the legislation to make it legal for hunters to donate moose and caribou meat to food banks. This will be a government pilot project, with the rules to be announced.
Next year under the program, a hunter who harvests a moose or caribou will field dress, clean, wrap in cheesecloth and then transport the meat to a government-approved processor. The hunter indicates how much is to be donated and the butcher grinds, packages, labels it with a Hunters Helping the Hungry sticker and then freezes it. Food banks would be notified of the availability and quantity and then notify their clientele.
We are seeking a corporate sponsor for funding to offset the cost of the butchering and transportation to the food bank in some cases. There would be records kept of all aspects of this program.
The Newfoundland Outdoor Heritage Coalition hopes to provide incentives to participating hunters, which we will announce later. We currently have a raffle ticket draw on a crossbow, and we will use a portion of those proceeds towards this year’s program.
This is a voluntary program for food banks. Two years ago, I conducted my own survey and 22 of 23 food banks contacted said if they had the freezer capacity, they would participate if it became legal.
The quality of the meat is assured because it’s being processed by a government-approved processor. All of the meat would be ground into burger.
As for liability concerns, we are protected by the Donation of Food Act NL 1997, which states that no person has or will be held liable for donating food in good faith.
Under this program, there are no extra licences. Donations are from licenced hunters of that current year only.
The program is not expected to fully begin until fall 2021, but we are hopeful that new Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture Minister Elvis Loveless will get the pilot program up and running for this fall.
This is voluntary for hunters but we are appealing to hunters to show their continued generosity to share their harvest, not only with family and friends, but now also with food banks.
What is a donation of 10 lbs, for example, when there’s probably an excess of 300 lbs of meat in your catch? That 10 lbs will be augmented with filler, and now your donation will be close to 15 one-pound packages, which equals a donation of a meal for 15 families.
This is not only about feeling good about donating a protein-rich, organic meat, but the end result is important — this meat has to be prepared into a meal which is served at the dinner table, which equates into quality family time.
Barry Fordham
St. John’s
Newfoundland Outdoor Heritage Coalition
Hunters Helping the Hungry program