JACKSON, Wyo. – It is beyond disheartening the news about farmers dumping milk, and ranchers gassing chickens and pigs because there simply is no market to support these food staples right now.

With many beef and swine processing plants also sidelined, an over-supply of meat and pork products is also a concern. Governor Mark Gordon even made mention of how long it was taking he and his wife to get two pigs butchered for their family. President Trump has felt the situation dire enough to order meatpacking plants back to work.

All this is why a win-win news out of Hudson, Wyoming is a frontrunner for today’s #GivingTuesday top story.

First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative announced today a partnership with Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Custom Meats, Inc. in Hudson, WY, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, and Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies to launch a new program called Food from the Farm + Ranch. The collaboration exemplifies a joint commitment to utilize Wyoming products to care for Wyoming people.

For the very first time, three beef cattle have been donated by Wyoming producers to be processed by Wyoming Custom Meats Inc. in Hudson, and will be donated to Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies to be distributed throughout the state as a vital source of protein. Employees of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture have donated the processing fees for the cattle donated by L-T Livestock, and Hellyer Limited Partnership. The third was donated by Rich and Kay Pingetzer and Jess and Tim Sullivan of Shoshoni, with processing donated by WSGA members Jeff and Susan Sussman and Reg and Aline Phillips of Dubois.

“Being a producer myself, my initial vision for Wyoming Hunger Initiative was to encompass a component of agriculture that would be part of the solution to food insecurity in our state. I am beyond excited about the immediate partnership between so many entities working together to ensure longevity of the program,” said First Lady Jennie Gordon.

The ultimate goal of Food from the Farm + Ranch is to utilize Wyoming products to combat food insecurity. And the timing could not be better to recognize Wyoming producers while meeting the increase in needs across the state. Ultimately, the end goal is to reach a point beyond COVID-19 where families and pantries can purchase meat from local producers instead of seeking an out-of-state supplier.

Furthermore, while farmers and ranchers are supporting the food bank during this time through the donation of livestock and processing fees, the hope is that residents will support Wyoming producers now and in the future.

“Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies is honored to be a part of this program. Our entire team is proud to be able to distribute Wyoming’s food products to Wyoming households in need,” shared Tony Woodell, Director of the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies.

“Wyoming Stock Growers Association appreciates this opportunity to partner with the First Lady to meet the food needs of our Wyoming neighbors,” commented Jim Magagna, Executive Vice President of the Association. “We urge cattle producers across the state to generously step up by contacting us to donate cattle for Food from the Farm + Ranch.”

Anyone interested in donating livestock to this cause is urged to contact Wyoming Hunger Initiative or Wyoming Stock Growers Association.