About this episode

This episode discusses Kentucky's venison donation program and its impact on food insecurity through hunting.

Hunter, conservation, and community collide in this eye-opening conversation about Kentucky’s innovative venison donation program. Discover how hunters are not only filling their freezers but also transforming lives—turning surplus deer into hundreds of thousands of meals for food-insecure families. If you’ve ever wondered how your next hunt could do more than just fill the freezer, this episode reveals the inspiring details behind one of the most impactful wildlife programs in the country. Tom Waters, a seasoned hunter and volunteer with Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry, shares why more hunters need to donate their extra deer—and how simple steps like field dressing and dropping off at a participating processor can generate thousands of meals with zero cost to the hunter. You’ll learn how this grassroots effort has donated over 7 million meals since 2000, helping families battling food insecurity, seniors choosing between medicine and meals, and children receiving nutritious snacks. Tom dives into the logistics, federal regulations, and critical partnerships with wildlife agencies that make it all possible. We break down the key obstacles facing expansion—including declining…

People in this episode

Host: Dan Johnson

Guest: Tom Waters

Topics covered

• venison donation
• food insecurity
• hunting
• community health
• conservation
• wildlife programs

Keywords

• venison donation
• food-insecure families
• hunting participation
• community health
• wildlife agencies
• meals donation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry

Places: Kentucky

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