Politicians and staffers from across the political spectrum came together to feast on wild-harvested venison, kangaroo and goat at the second annual “Hunters for the Hungry” barbecue on the rooftop terrace at Victoria’s Parliament House in mid-November.
This event’s purpose is twofold: in addition to promoting the “Hunters for the Hungry” initiative, it reinforces the connection between hunting and wild food, countering misconceptions that some might hold about hunters and hunting.
Victoria’s peak food charity, Foodbank, reports that 140,000 people every month access support because they do not have enough to eat. More than 80% of food charities have stated they regularly do not have enough supply to meet demand, with protein (meat) being their biggest expense. At the same time, thousands of wild game animals are being shot to waste in control programs in Victoria, with tonnes of protein going unutilised. In New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Europe and Africa, programs allow hunters and cullers to donate premium wild shot game meat to food charities. It is not, by any means, a complete solution to food insecurity. Still, it is an important and meaningful opportunity that is being missed, and all it takes is some political will to address it.
It is also important that our elected officials and the community at large understand that the sourcing and sharing of wild food is a critical part of the hunting experience for tens of thousands of Victorians. We must take every opportunity to tell that story, and there is no more practical way to do that than by sharing the harvest.
SSAA Victoria would like to thank the MPs and staffers from across the political spectrum for supporting the barbecue, Jeff Bourman MP and his office for their support in organising and running the event, and Minister Steve Dimopoulos MP for his warm, welcoming speech.
