In Wyoming, hunting and gardening are more than hobbies—they’re traditions deeply tied to sustenance and community, the Washington Post reports.
Now, through two innovative programs, Food From the Field and Grow a Little Extra, residents are leveraging these traditions to help neighbors in need.
Hunting has long been a way of life in Wyoming, often seen as a family tradition and a vital means of securing food. For some families, it also presents an opportunity to give back. Sierra Mitchell, founder of the Afton Food Pantry, and her sons are among those making a difference. The Mitchell family has donated hundreds of pounds of wild game to their local pantry, with young hunters like Jace, 13, contributing elk meat that feeds dozens of families.
The Food From the Field program, launched in 2019 by Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Hunger Initiative, allows hunters to donate legally harvested game. The meat is tested, processed, and distributed to food banks across the state. Since its inception, the program has provided nearly 52,000 pounds of game meat, offering much-needed protein to those experiencing food insecurity.
Alongside hunters, Wyoming gardeners are also pitching in through the Grow a Little Extra program. Backyard gardeners like Isaiah Smith in Cheyenne contribute surplus produce to designated drop-off points, which are then distributed to food pantries. In 2023, the program collected over 27,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, ensuring access to fresh, nutritious food for those in need.
Wyoming’s sparse population and vast landscapes mean that supermarkets are often far away, making local food sources critical. The combination of wild game and fresh produce addresses food insecurity while embracing the state’s deep-rooted traditions of self-reliance and community support.
For First Lady Gordon, the mission to fight hunger began with stories she heard while campaigning with her husband, Governor Mark Gordon. Drawing from her own family’s experiences with food insecurity, she established the Hunger Initiative to streamline and amplify grassroots efforts like those of the Mitchell family.
Sierra Mitchell emphasizes that the impact goes beyond providing meals.
“It’s more than a box of food—it’s hope,” she said.
By inviting hunters to distribute their donations and encouraging gardeners to share their harvests, these programs foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
As Governor Mark Gordon’s term nears its end, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative is poised to continue its work. With its newly granted 501(c)(3) status, the program will carry on, ensuring that hunters, gardeners, and other volunteers can keep feeding their neighbors for years to come.
