Venison Donation Program
If you are interested in receiving lean, delicious venison for your food program, please see more information and instructions below.
NOTE: There are two ways you can receive venison through this program, but both require you to return the Registration Form to the MN Department of Agriculture (MDA) and follow program requirements (see below).
You can receive venison through Second Harvest Heartland.
Some processors donate to Second Harvest Heartland and designate it certain programs. You will get any venison designated to your program. We will notify you of these donations and provide instructions for accessing via email.
For all other venison donations, the amount available to programs is determined by the amount donated. Enrolled programs will be contacted by Second Harvest Heartland via email with instructions for how much is available and how to access it.
We will notify you when the venison is available for order. Please note this is determined by when we receive the product at our warehouse.
You can accept USDA approved donations from hunters or butchers in your community. (Processor information.)
As a reminder, please follow the instructions in the letter below, including submitting your request for venison directly to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Do not register with Second Harvest Heartland. We recommend opting in as soon as possible. The deadline is 10/31/2023.
Documents you will need:
Required registration form - deadline 10/31/23 (Return to Dairy & Food Inspection, MDA, 625 Robert St. S, St Paul MN 55155)