Growing kids need protein.
Wyoming has high-quality, local solutions.

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
AESOP

A Wyoming solution to a Wyoming challenge.

In 2023, in partnership with Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Beef Council, and 307 Meat Company, Wyoming Hunger Initiative launched a new program under the Food from the Farm + Ranch banner called Beef for Backpacks. Thanks to the support of corporate sponsors and local beef donors, Wyoming Hunger Initiative was able to provide over 215,000 beef sticks to weekend food bag programs statewide for the 2023-2024 school year.

So many people came together to make Beef for Backpacks possible in the first year. 307 Meat Company in Laramie has and continues to do all of the processing of the beef donated to this program. Wyoming Stock Growers Association seeks out beef donations to the program through their network. Wyoming Beef Council and Multivac provide all of the labeling for these snack sticks. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Jonah Bank of Wyoming, Albertsons-Safeway, FunBiz Concessions, Farm Credit Services, UniWyo Credit Union, and the Catholic Diocese came together to fund this incredible opportunity to get local, high-quality protein in the hands of children across Wyoming

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

BY THE NUMBERS: 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR

Beef for Backpacks is made possible by the generous commitment of our donors:

Jack and Diana Berger, Saratoga

Jay and Linda Butler, Douglas

Child Land & Livestock, Cheyenne

Sean Crabtree, Newcastle

Shawn and Lisa Daly, Douglas

Earhart Farms, Powell

Marty and Darci Edwards, Gillette

Fluid Pro, Riverton

Gail Peterson, Pavillion

Gerry and Gwen Geis, Gillette

Geis Brothers, Gillette

Julia Gentle, Cheyenne

Mark and Jennie Gordon, Merlin Ranch (Buffalo)

Mark and Jennie Gordon, Gordon Ranch (Kaycee)

Grey Reef Ranch, LLC, Casper

Kiel and Kristin Harding, Harding Ranch (Cheyenne)

Malik and April Hegge, Casper

Jack Hickey Family Trust, Lonetree

H Lazy J Cattle, Mountain View

Holland Ranch, Worland

Horse Creek Cattle Company, Cheyenne

Jrb LLC, Salt Lake City

J-9 LLC, Cody

King Ranch, Cheyenne

Keith and Wendi Lankister, Douglas

Lex Madden, Torrington

McMurray Foundation, Casper

Kate Mead, Jackson

Murraymere Farms, Powell

Occidental Petroleum, Cheyenne

Ed and Nancy Prosser, Cheyenne

Riverton Tire & Oil, Riverton

Rocky Mountain Agronomy Center, Riverton

Samson Energy, Cheyenne

Silver Spur Ranches, Encampment

James and Jaime Tarver, Gillette

Taylor Ranches, LLC, Lonetree

TE Ranch, Cody

Town and Country Supermarket Liquors, Cheyenne

Shane and JoAnn True, Casper

Tyrrell Chevrolet, Cheyenne

Walton Ranch, Jackson

Warren Livestock, Cheyenne

Wind River Oilfield Service, Riverton

Multiple individuals and organizations also provided in-kind services during the first year to include transportation of beef to the processor, hosting livestock until processing days, and advocating for this program.

Jay Butler, Douglas

Kelcey Christensen, Laramie

Cowboy Joe Club, Laramie

Kiel Harding, Cheyenne

Bobby Lane, Riverton

Gwen Geis, Gillette

Ryan Hedges, Riverton

Ron Ostrom, Powell

JD Pety, Kaycee

Marissa Taylor, Lonetree

Lance West, Burns

Are you interested in donating beef for Beef for Backpacks? Call (307) 274-0365 to get started.

Beef for Backpacks RESOURCES

MATERIALS FOR PROCESSORS AND PROGRAM PARTNERS

Growing kids need protein and Wyoming has the beef! Download the information you need to promote Wyoming Hunger Initiative's Beef for Backpacks program.