Last fall at a cattle industry meeting Agri Beef Co. and The Idaho Foodbank  presented an innovative idea.

First, they presented statistics showing how many people in our state are hungry.  They didn’t just read a list of numbers or pass around papers summarizing the research statistics. They gave first-hand accounts of local families who’s children relied so heavily upon schools to provide their children with breakfast and lunch that often times these children had very little to eat over the weekend. Very little. The representatives from the Idaho Foodbank told us that the number one food requested from the people who use their services is meat. On average, the Foodbank is able to provide a family with five pounds of meat per month. 

My sons’ school provides free breakfast to all of the students and free lunch to those who qualify. I never realized until the moment I sat in that meeting that there are children in my local school who were HUNGRY. Consistently hungry.

I have never known hunger. My children have never known hunger. We are blessed, amazingly so. Once you are awakened to a need such as this, particularly in your own community, you can’t go back to being oblivious. Our state’s cattle association and state beef council agreed that this is a need cattle producers in our state WANT to fill. Beef Counts was created. Cattle producers can make a monetary donation or a livestock donation and those proceeds are used solely to purchase beef for the Idaho Foodbank. Here’s the amazing part: Agri-Beef has agreed to a 50% matching donation. The goal of Beef Counts is to provide a consistent supply of beef for The Idaho Foodbank.

It is humbling to watch as the momentum for Beef Counts builds. To see fellow cattle producers, many of whom are struggling during these difficult economic times, step up and do what we can to alleviate hunger in our state is inspiring. I am proud to consider myself a part of this industry.

I encourage you to check out the Beef Counts website. If you are interested in donating, this website makes it easy to do so. Also, check out Agri Beef Company’s website. They are an innovative company and leaders in the beef industry.