Cattlemen's Association asks for help putting 'Beef on Every Plate'

We are pleased to announce that the Montana Cattlemen’s Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant to benefit our Beef On Every Plate program! The grant was issued by the state of Montana to help increase food security for Montanans hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those of you who are not familiar with this program, ranchers donate cull cattle and MCA pays for the processing of the beef into one-pound hamburger packages. We then arrange delivery to the local food banks. Since we began this program, we have provided over 270,000 meals to those in need. Additionally, local processing means the small, independent processors are getting needed economic stimulation as well.

As cattle producers we always have beef in our freezer. Unfortunately, this is a luxury that too many Montanans do not share. The need for healthy protein is overwhelming and has grown exponentially with the COVID-19 virus. Beef On Every Plate provides fresh, healthy, locally raised beef that many families in our neighborhoods would otherwise be unable to obtain.

Reports indicate 1 in 7 Montanans struggle with hunger. Many Montana households are “food insecure” and people living in these households often skip meals or go to bed hungry, including young children and the elderly. With your help we hope to reduce this statistic. Meat is seldom received by the food banks and many of those living on a fixed income, single parents, or the working poor simply cannot afford to purchase beef to feed their families, especially after paying their rent, utilities, medical bills, etc.

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic has also adversely affected the price of cattle at the sale yards. With this grant, MCA has therefore decided if a rancher can donate one animal, MCA would pay market price for a second one. This goal would benefit both the cattle rancher as well as patrons of the community food banks who cannot afford buying retail beef.

Funds are only available through January 2021 and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until expended. Please consider contributing to this program by calling 406-467-2251. We are honored to help provide locally raised, nutritious and delicious protein to our Montana communities so that all families have Beef On Every Plate!

We also ask that you become a member of the Montana Cattlemen’s Association. In 2019 we fought for a Montana Country of Origin Labeling Bill and a prohibition of “fake meat” being advertised as beef. MCA is in the process of setting 2021 Montana legislative priorities and are considering a renewed campaign for Montana COOL and a prohibition of bison designated as wildlife. We are also monitoring Senate Bill 3019 which is supposed to settle the water rights claims of the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes but instead includes unrelated issues harming Montana cattle producers. We need your input so join today — call 406-467-2251.