Be Prepared to Handle Hunted Game

Seasonal hunting practices can benefit food banks in some jurisdictions where hunters can donate their harvest. The laws that govern hunted or wild game and how it can be donated to foodbanks vary across the country.

The reasons for the laws are the same:

• Wildlife conservation and hunting to protect animals from overhunting
• Food safety, meat inspection and public health to protect consumers from getting sick from parasites, viruses or bacteria in uninspected meat

Where donating to a food bank is permitted, hunters may have to take their harvest to an approved meat processor or organization that will cut and wrap it for the food bank. The charge for processing may be covered by a hunter organization or other donors, or the hunter pays the processing costs. Generally, food banks should not accept uninspected meat from hunters’ home freezers.

Food banks will need to check with their provincial department of natural resources and food safety for specific information about what meat can be donated and what records the food bank needs to keep when sharing the meat. This will ensure the meat was legally obtained and public health officials can investigate if people get sick.

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Safe Food Handling Resources Available

• Safe food handling materials, including the program manual, posters and decals, are available at no charge for all affiliate food banks and agencies. Click here for order form.
• Sign up for the Safe Food Handling E-Learning Course. It’s free for volunteers and staff of affiliated food banks and agencies. Visit www.foodbankscanada.ca/elearning