In Minnesota, charitable organizations that operate food assistance programs can accept donations of hunter-harvested venison, provided specific program requirements are met. The program requirements have been designed to ensure that wholesome, safe product is being donated statewide.
Registration
Prior to accepting donations, charitable organizations must register with the MDA by October 31 of each year. Registration forms can be requested by calling 651-201-6300. Charitable organizations must meet the following criteria to register:
- The charity must be registered in Minnesota as a Social and Charitable Organization, per MINN. STAT. 309.52, OR as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- The organization must operate a food assistance program.
All food charities must register individually to participate. Food charities associated with an America’s Second Harvest Heartland food bank will not be automatically registered with the MDA when the associated food bank is registered.
Criteria for Accepting Donated Product
Food charities may not accept donated venison directly from a hunter. The donated product must come from an approved source, as described below.
Archery-harvested venison
Food charities can accept archery-harvested donated venison product from meat processors that have registered and been approved by the MDA. Processors must register annually for approval to participate in the program. View a list of approved processors for the current program year online. Note that a receipt from the food charity must be provided to the processor at the time of delivery. This receipt is required in order for the processor to receive reimbursement from the MDA. It must include the following:
- The registration number of the charitable organization receiving the venison
- Date of product delivery
- Pounds of product delivered
- Name of plant processing the product
- Name and address of food charity accepting the product
- Signature of the food charity representative
- Letterhead or other indicator that the receipt is from the food charity
Firearm-harvested venison
Food charities may accept firearm-harvested venison only after it has been x-ray scanned for lead contamination. The MDA conducts the x-ray scanning before releasing the product to food shelves.
All venison
Food charities may only accept whole muscle cuts of venison or ground venison with no added ingredients. All products must be frozen prior to delivery to the food charity. Do not accept product that is fresh (unfrozen) or pre-thawed. The following products are not acceptable for the donation program:
- Venison that has been mixed with meat from another species of animal or non-donated carcasses.
- Sausage products or other multi-ingredient products.
- Venison products that are not labeled with all of the required items (see below).
Donated product should come labeled with the following items:
- “Hunted venison, for food donation only”
- Plant identification number (if applicable) or name of plant
- Date of processing
- “Not for sale”
Handling and Distributing Donated Product
Donated venison must be distributed frozen, in its original packages, to the individuals receiving the product. Donated venison should be distributed within six months of the processing date. Any product not distributed at the end of nine months must be discarded. When distributing, include copies of the following information (provided with your registration materials from the MDA):
- Cooking and handling instructions, including proper storage temperature for products and the importance of cooking game products to 160-165° F, following good hygiene practices, and preventing cross-contamination.
- Lead health advisory
Documentation of Distributions
Each participating food charity must submit two annual reports to the MDA documenting specific information about donations received. Copies of these forms are provided to participating charities after registrations have been received and approved.
Donated Product Receiving Log
This report must be submitted to the MDA after all products have been received, but no later than June 30 each year. It includes documentation of:
- The date(s) venison was received
- The amount of venison received
- The processor(s) who donated the venison
Product Distribution Log
This report indicates the organization or clientele that received the donated venison. It must be submitted to the MDA after all product has been distributed, but no later than June 30 of each year. Food charities that receive venison directly from the processor must report the product received to their America’s Second Harvest Heartland food bank in addition to the MDA.
Limitations for Future Participation in the Program
The failure to follow program requirements is considered when assessing potential program registrants in subsequent years. This may be cause for denial of future registration for a processor in some situations.
