CHEYENNE, WYO — First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative is proud to partner
with Wyoming Stock Growers Association (WSGA), Wyoming Custom Meats, Inc. in Hudson, WY,
Wyoming Department of Agriculture, and Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies to launch a new
program called Food from the Farm + Ranch. This collaboration exemplifies the partnership
between related industries all committed to utilizing Wyoming products to care for Wyoming
people.
For the very first time, three beef cattle have been donated by Wyoming producers to be
processed by Wyoming Custom Meats Inc. in Hudson, and will be donated to Wyoming Food
Bank of the Rockies to be distributed throughout the state as a vital source of protein. Employees
of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture have donated the processing fees for the cattle
donated by L-T Livestock, and Hellyer Limited Partnership. The third was donated by Rich and Kay
Pingetzer and Jess and Tim Sullivan of Shoshoni, with processing donated by WSGA members
Jeff and Susan Sussman and Reg and Aline Phillips of Dubois. Additional processing dates have
been scheduled for later this month to accommodate donations from local producers.
“Being a producer myself, my initial vision for Wyoming Hunger Initiative was to encompass a
component of agriculture that would be part of the solution to food insecurity in our state. I am
beyond excited about the immediate partnership between so many entities working together to
ensure longevity of the program,” said First Lady Jennie Gordon.
The ultimate goal of Food from the Farm + Ranch is to utilize Wyoming products to combat food
insecurity. There is no better time to recognize Wyoming producers while meeting the increase in
needs across the state. Ultimately, the end goal is to reach a point beyond COVID-19 where
families and pantries can purchase meat from local producers instead of seeking an out-of-state
supplier. Furthermore, while farmers and ranchers are supporting the food bank during this time
through the donation of livestock and processing fees, the hope is that residents will support
Wyoming producers now and in the future. “Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies is honored to be
a part of this program. Our entire team is proud to be able to distribute Wyoming’s food products
to Wyoming households in need,” shared Tony Woodell, Director of the Wyoming Food Bank of
the Rockies.
“Wyoming Stock Growers Association appreciates this opportunity to partner with the First Lady
to meet the food needs of our Wyoming neighbors,” commented Jim Magagna, Executive Vice
President of the Association. “We urge cattle producers across the state to generously step up by
contacting us to donate cattle for Food from the Farm + Ranch.” If you are interested in donating
livestock to this cause, please contact Wyoming Hunger Initiative or Wyoming Stock Growers
Association, www.wysga.org.