Georgia hunters combat rural food insecurity through venison donation program

As climate change drives up food prices and rural communities face mounting hunger challenges, an innovative partnership between Georgia hunters and local food banks is providing a lifeline to families in need. The Georgia Wildlife Federation’s expanded Hunters for the Hungry program has transformed excess deer harvests into a powerful tool against food insecurity.

With state funding recently increased to $350,000 annually, the program has grown from six to 56 participating meat processors across Georgia. This year alone, organizers aim to collect 140,000 pounds of donated venison—enough to feed an estimated 560,000 people. The initiative addresses a stark reality: nearly 15% of Georgia families are food insecure, with rural counties hit hardest. Rural Hancock County has the nation’s highest rate of child food insecurity at 47%.

The irony is particularly striking in Georgia, where agriculture reigns as the top industry. Despite being the nation’s leading producer of broiler chickens, hatching eggs, and peanuts, most of this large-scale agricultural output feeds into national supply chains rather than local communities. Climate disruptions to these complex food systems further exacerbate rural hunger by creating supply chain disruptions and price volatility.

At Wise Brothers Processing outside Savannah, the program’s impact is tangible. The family-run business has already donated 500 pounds of ground venison this year to Old Savannah City Mission, which serves over 250 people three times daily. As federal food aid programs face cuts and shutdowns, these grassroots efforts represent crucial community-driven solutions to rural hunger, demonstrating how local collaboration can address complex food security challenges.