Meat Acceptance Guidelines

• Only big game meat that has been processed by an affiliate butcher shop can be accepted.
• Please only donate meat that you would feed your family and friends.
  Road kill and improperly handled game can not be accepted due to possible contamination.
• If you are not donating a whole deer or elk, please consider donating a few pounds! (Every little bit helps!)
• Use care to properly field dress all game and deliver them promptly to the butcher shop.

Food Safety Procedures

Harvest:

• Determine that the animal appears to be healthy, and does not exhibit obvious signs of illness.
• Field dress the animal well and within an hour of harvest.
• Cut the carcass into quarters if needed.
• Chill the meat as quickly as possible to refrigeration temperatures.

Transport:

• Protect the meat from contamination during transport by cover and separation from non-food items.
• Maintain the meat as close to refrigeration temperatures as possible.

Meat Processor Guidelines

The game meat must have been processed by:

• A facility that is subject to inspection by the regulatory authority with jurisdiction over meat products;
• The facility packages the game meat into portions that require no further processing or cutting by the food bank or food pantry; and.

The meat must be labeled by the processor with the following:

• Species identification;
• The name and address of the meat processing facility; and
• The words “Processed for Donation or Private Use” and “Cook to 165° F.”

Donation of Freezer Meat

Magic Valley Region only.

Hunter brings in frozen, legally harvested antelope, deer, elk, or moose (meat) to approved processor. In Magic Valley use Scarrow’s Meats, High Desert Meats, or B & L Meats. Hunter completes Donation Form – Proxy Statement. Processor thaws meat, inspects for quality then grinds into 1 pound packages and freezes.

Hunters please only provide meat that you would eat and consider donating $50.00 to IHFH to help offset the cost of processing.

Idaho Hunters Feeding the Hungry is primarily supported by hunters that donate $1.00 when they purchase a hunting license. That $1.00 pays for the protein portion of 3 or 4 meals for the hungry in your community.

Funds for processor reimbursement is limited by donations received. IHFH cannot guarantee reimbursement and will use its best efforts to notify processor when funds are depleted for the year.

If you have questions, please call 208-324-8099

Meat Processors

Click on any of the Idaho Regions listed below to view the meat processors in that area: