From field to foodbank: shoots tackle food poverty

Gamebird scheme supports families in need

A scheme organised by The Country Food Trust is putting thousands of gamebirds onto the plates of families who would otherwise go hungry this season. Three trial collection hubs in Essex, Northamptonshire and Scotland are transforming partridges and pheasants into pre-packed meals for food banks.

The scheme was set up in October after SJ Hunt, the charity’s chief executive, received calls from shoots seeking alternative outlets for their birds as the commercial market contracted. “We were being given feedback that game dealers are retiring or finding it not commercially viable to collect the birds,” said Ms Hunt. 

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Creating a direct pathway between shoots and food banks

Her organisation represented an opportunity to create a new pathway connecting shoots directly with foodbanks and families in need. What emerged from the market dilemma was not only a new outlet for gamebirds but also a means to demonstrate game shooting’s social value.

After securing a donation to buy and station trailers at estates in each location, The Country Food Trust began collecting unprocessed birds. Within weeks, it was transforming thousands of birds into curries and casseroles, all distributed free to local communities.

The reception has been remarkable. Ms Hunt described taking partridge curry to a deprived area of Portsmouth, where food bank users who had never seen a partridge were soon asking for more. “Everyone loved it,” she said.

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How to contribute

The trust needs support to continue the scheme in future years. While some shoots have donated generously to help cover processing costs, Ms Hunt reports that the trust is covering the lion’s share. Working with the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and Game Farmers’ Association, she is developing a cost-recovery model for next season, enabling more hubs to open.

Posting on social media, the NGO said that even modest donations could help: “If each shoot were to raise just £100, together we could make a truly significant difference.”

Visit thecountryfoodtrust.org to donate.