HoCo Harvest For The Hungry Offers Venison To Food Banks

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A new pilot program, HoCo Harvest for the Hungry, has launched in Howard County that provides venison to local food banks. The program will be operated in partnership with the Howard Soil Conservation District and Howard County Economic Development Authority. The deer will be donated by local hunters, processed by three local business partners and then delivered to the Howard County Food Bank by the Roving Radish.

Any hunter hunting in Howard County can participate in the program by simply donating their deer to one of the following processors: Clint’s Cuts of Mt Airy, KS Kuts in Damascus and M & G Wild Game Processing in Westminster. The program is being funded with approximately $17,000 of the county’s allocation of federal CARES Act funding.

“The pandemic has hampered our previously scheduled deer management shoots, and the overpopulation of deer in areas of our county continues to be an issue for farmers and residents,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Moreover, amid economic challenges, food insecurity has become more substantial for many of our residents. This program achieves two goals – reducing our deer population and providing quality food to our local families in need. This innovative program would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our partners, and we’re grateful to have such an effective team in place to make this work.”

James Zoller, program manager for the Roving Radish, said the over population of deer in Howard County is not only an economic problem for farmers but a public safety and natural resources problem.

"This program is a win-win on many fronts," he said.

David Plummer, district manager for the Office of Soil Conservation, said farmers are well aware of the overpopulation of deer in the county.

"HoCo Harvest for the Hungry serves a dual purpose by encouraging hunters to harvest more deer and providing critical food resources for people in need during the difficult winter months in the middle of a challenging pandemic," he said.

How To Support The Patch Holiday Food Drive

Patch has teamed with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.