Despite global and national efforts to combat hunger, food insecurity is rising, with over 12% of U.S. households affected in 2022. Traditional food assistance programs often struggle to provide enough meat or meet nutritional needs. In response, wild-harvested game meat donation programs in the U.S. offer an alternative solution, supplying around 10 million meals annually through donated game like venison. However, only a small percentage of hunters participate. A case study in Michigan highlights the Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger program, which has provided over 520 metric tons of venison since 1991, helping address both food insecurity and overabundant deer populations. This model shows significant potential for expanding the role of hunters in hunger relief.
