Food banks registered with the Department of Government Services may apply to the Wildlife Division for a Licence to Donate Game to allow them to receive big game meat from the holder of a valid big game licence that has been prepared by a licensed butcher and small game meat, except migratory birds, to distribute to their clients without a charge.

A hunter who holds a valid licence may donate game meat, except migratory birds, to a food bank during the open season and up to and including the date immediately before the start of the next open season.

All donated moose and caribou must be processed at a processing facility licenced by the Department of Government Services.  Home butchering or processed big game meat is not considered acceptable for donation to food banks.

For information about registering as a food bank or to find a licenced processing facility, please contact GSInfo@gov.nl.ca

To apply for a Licence to Donate Game from the Wildlife Division email wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca The request must contain the following information pertaining to the food bank:

• the name of the food bank,
• contact person,
• complete mailing address,
• telephone number and email address

A licence to donate game shall expire on August 31 in each year.

Other Conditions

A registered food bank that has been issued a Licence to Donate Game shall keep records and make a return to the Wildlife Division at the end of each month recording the following information:

• the name and address of the licence holders who donated meat
• the amount of donations received during the month
• the quantities distributed during the month; and
• the stock on hand at the end of the month.

A registered food bank that has been issued a Licence to Donate Game shall produce the records when requested to do so by a wild life officer.

Where a person is in possession of moose or caribou meat that has been donated to a registered food bank, written proof that the moose or caribou meat was obtained from a licence holder shall include

(a)  the name of the registered food bank that has received or will be receiving the meat;
(b)  the approximate amount of meat donated by the licence holder;
(c)  the date of the donation;
(d)  the name of the licenced butcher that has prepared or will be preparing the meat;
(e)  the licence number of the licence holder who donated the meat; and
(f)  the signature of the licence holder who donated the meat.

A registered food bank may designate, in writing, one or more persons to transport moose or caribou meat that has been donated to the registered food bank to any of the following:

(a)  a licensed butcher that will prepare the meat;
(b)  the registered food bank; and
(c)  a person receiving the meat from the registered food bank.

Donated moose or caribou meat that is being transported by a person that is designated for the purposes above shall also have that information included the written designation.

A person receiving moose or caribou meat from a registered food bank shall have written proof that the moose or caribou meat was obtained from a licence holder and shall contain:

(a)  the person’s name;
(b)  the approximate amount of meat received from the registered food bank;
(c)  the date of receipt of the meat; and
(d)  the name of the registered food bank that distributed the meat.

A  registered food bank that receives moose or caribou meat by donation from a licence holder shall retain copies of the following for a period of 3 years:

(a)  the written proof for all meat that it receives.
(b)  all written designations
(c)  the written proof for all meat that it distributes.