Press Release: 4/8/2026

Healey-Driscoll Administration Marks 100,000-Meal Milestone Through MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program

 

Announcement Comes as Governor Healey Works to Lift Sunday Hunting Ban and Expand Hunting Access in Massachusetts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

4/07/2026

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Nicole McSweeney

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Call Nicole McSweeney at 508-389-6327

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Email Nicole McSweeney at masswildlife.news@mass.gov

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) announced hunters have donated more than 100,000 meals of venison to families facing food insecurity across the state. Since its launch in 2022, the Hunters Share the Harvest program has connected hunters with a growing network of food banks and other charitable organizations to deliver locally sourced protein to residents in need. 

This major milestone comes after Governor Maura Healey’s announcement last month to file legislation to expand hunting across Massachusetts. The proposals will help build on the program’s growth, opening the door for more hunters to participate.

“For generations, hunters in Massachusetts have helped put food on the table for their families and neighbors while supporting local economies across our state,” said Governor Healey. “Reaching 100,000 donated meals is a remarkable milestone, and it shows the real impact of this program for communities across our state. That is why I am proposing legislation to expand access to hunting, including allowing Sunday hunting, so more people can participate in this tradition and help deliver healthy, local food to families in need.”

“Hunting plays an important role in managing wildlife, supporting local businesses, and now donating tens of thousands of meals to their neighbors,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Programs like this make sure those economic benefits reach the whole community, including families who are struggling to get by.”

Food insecurity is a serious and growing challenge. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, more than 1 in 3 Massachusetts households struggle to put food on the table. Venison is a lean protein and deer harvested in Massachusetts provide the equivalent of more than 4.4 million meals each year. The Hunters Share the Harvest program ensures more of that food reaches families who need it most.

“Hunters are an important tool for managing deer populations. Through this program, the same harvest that manages deer overpopulation is also putting food on tables,” said Energy and Environmental Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This is one of many examples of delivering benefits for families, public safety, and wildlife management.”

“As a hunter myself, I know that hunting has always been about more than the sport. It is about tradition, community, and taking care of the people around you,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “That's the culture of hunting in Massachusetts: feeding your own family, your neighbor, and doing the same for someone in need. And that's what our Hunters Share the Harvest is all about. We could not do this without our hunters—thank you for making this possible.”   

Venison donated through MassWildlife’s Hunters Share the Harvest Program is now distributed through more than 25 food programs, reaching families in over 250 municipalities across the state. Participating butcher shops and processors work alongside hunger relief organizations to ensure venison is handled safely and reaches people quickly. Since its inception, more than 750 deer have been donated through the program. 

“This milestone reflects the generous spirit of our hunting community and the dedication of our processing and distribution partners,” said MassWildlife Acting Director Eve Schlüter. “Every donation makes a real difference for families across Massachusetts who may not otherwise have access to fresh, healthy protein.”   

Overabundant deer populations damage forests, harm farms, increase vehicle collisions, and contribute to the spread of tick-borne illness. While the statewide goal for deer across Massachusetts is 12–18 deer per square mile, populations in some areas far exceed those levels. On Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, densities surpass 100 deer per square mile in areas where hunting is limited. 

In response, Governor Healey expanded the deer hunting season on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, with a six-week winter primitive firearms and bowhunting season from January 1 through February 14, 2026. This past deer season, Nantucket Land Bank expanded local capacity by opening a new deer processing facility in partnership with Hunters Share the Harvest, increasing opportunities to donate venison and distribute it through Nourish Nantucket for the island community.  

“By working with MassWildlife and the Nantucket Land Bank, we’re able to turn a healthy, local resource into nutritious meals for our neighbors,” said Executive Director of Nourish Nantucket Meg Browers. This kind of collaboration is exactly what Nourish Nantucket is all about, bringing partners together to strengthen the island’s food system. The new food hub at Boynton Lane will allow us to build on this work and expand the number of clients we and our partners at the Pantry can serve—in this instance using locally sourced food, which is truly a win-win.” 

Donations are simple and can be made through participating processors statewide during deer hunting seasons. Click here for more information about Hunters Share the Harvest.