Hawaii Senate Bill 1603 (SB 1603) would allow for the donation of wild game meat to under-resourced communities, provided that the good-faith donor harvested the meat in a food safe manner, and the distributor reasonably believes that the food is fit for human consumption. Hawaii has seen an increased need for protein donations to feed local communities, and the legislature recognizes that hunters could provide a much-needed service.
TAKE ACTION
Please consider joining the National Deer Association (NDA) in supporting this legislation. SB 1603 will help support under-resourced communities while encouraging Hawaii’s hunters to continue managing non-native and invasive species. CLICK HERE to ask your lawmakers to support SB 1603.
MORE INFO
Wild game can be a significant source of protein, and HB 1603 aims to increase protein donations by removing the prohibition of game meat donations. Many states offer meat donation programs that will serve as models that Hawaii can assess to develop tools for long-term, sustainable management programs for invasive species. If passed, HB 1603 would establish a meat processing task force to develop and implement a plan to expand the meat processing capacity in the state of Hawaii. This would allow for meat from axis deer and other wild game to be processed for distribution by nonprofit food distribution services, aiding hungry Hawaiians.