Virginia Hunters for the Hungry Helps Address Nelson County Food Insecurity

Virginia Hunters for the Hungry manage a program called “Venison for Hungry” in Nelson County.  Between October 1, 2024, and February 10, 2025, the Venison for Hungry program received 5,500 total pounds of deer from donations from hunters, farmers and herd management initiatives, including Wintergreen’s culling efforts, across Nelson County. 

The primary benefit of this program is to create a source of high-protein, lean red meat for residents of Nelson County facing food insecurity challenges.

Hunters for the Hungry was able to accept every deer made available to the program.  

The 5,500 pounds of deer donations created 22,000 4 oz. servings of high protein, lean read meat.   This result exceeded original projections for the project by 1,500 pounds or 27%, resulting in 6,000 additional servings / meals for those who are facing food insecurity in Nelson County.  The venison servings were distributed through the Nelson County Food Pantry and other Nelson County organizations with a mission to address food insecurity.  

A secondary benefit of the program is to help to reduce crops and ornamental damage caused by deer as well as reducing deer / vehicle collisions thus enhancing public safety around the roadways.  Additionally, herd management creates a healthier deer population as well as reducing the spread of ticks and other diseases. 

A grant from Nelson County Community Fund awarded in 2024 partially funded the Venison for the Hungry project and was applied to processing costs associated with creating venison.  Other sources of funding were secured through generous financial donors who responded to a spring appeal, local churches, businesses, corporations, and organizations.