The perfect solution to the UK’s growing deer problem?
With deer populations soaring in the UK, many Brits face protein shortages. The Country Food Trust transforms donated venison into meal pouches with a 1-year shelf life, providing vital support to foodbanks nationwide.
While the UK’s deer populations surge, many Brits continue to struggle with food poverty- particularly a lack of protein. The Country Food Trust is remedying this by taking donated venison, turning it into meal pouches with an ambient shelf life of 1 year, and donating them to food banks across the country.
The UK's deer population is estimated to be at its highest for 1,000 years, with roughly two million roaming our island. The last time Britain had that many deer was before William the Conqueror arrived on our shores in 1066. Back then, we had a population of roughly two million people who lived via subsistence farming. This meant there were vast tracks of forest and wild countryside for deer to prosper and their destructive tendencies- eating and trampling crops and woodland- were felt less keenly.
Fast forward ten centuries and Britain still has two million deer, but most of our forests have been cut down while intensive farming accounts for 70% of our land use. A further 8% has been turned into things like roads and cities. As such, deer populations now exert a far greater pressure on what is left of our forests and wild places, not to mention their damage to farmers’ crops and people's gardens.
Why is Britain’s deer population the same as in 1066 despite our population being 34 times larger and much of the deer’s habitat being lost? Firstly, since William the Conqueror arrived, wolves, lynx and bears- all natural predators of the deer- have become extinct. Furthermore, there has been a massive increase in crop growing- particularly through the winter- providing plentiful, year-round food for deer. Lastly, venison was a staple part of the gentry’s diet back then, with large numbers of deer being kept in parks to be hunted and eaten. We no longer do this.
The result? A densely populated, intensively farmed island unable to support such a large deer population without incurring significant damage to precious woodlands, ground nesting birds and farmers’ yields. In some particularly densely populated areas, deer welfare has actually suffered as the land cannot support them sufficiently.
Clearly, there is a pressing need to cull the population, a solution that has attracted broad support across the spectrum, from vegetarian conservationist Chris Packham to TV presenter-turned-farmer Jeremy Clarkson.
This is where The Country Food Trust comes in.
As a food poverty charity, it is our aim to provide nutritious, protein-rich meals to those in need. We have identified deer- an abundant protein source overpopulating our island as our primary means of doing this.
Using deer donated by estates and game dealers, we turn it into highly nutritious meal pouches before distributing it to food banks and community kitchens across Britain. It is a brilliant way of getting high protein meals sourced, packaged and distributed locally- to those who need it most.
The need for this is acute. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 22% of the UK’s population has experienced food insecurity over the last year, while food banks have seen a 90% increase in demand over the same period. As a high-cost item, protein is often missing from peoples’ diets despite it being an essential building block of life.
We are combating these statistics by providing free, high protein meals to those in need, like our venison bolognese or our venison pasta bolognese. To date we have donated 600 tonnes of protein to over 1500 food banks and community kitchens across the UK.
For example, one estate in Norfolk donated 80 Chinese water deer , culled during its deer management programme. Following processing they were made into our venison bolognese meals in the ambient pouches. We distributed these pouches around food banks and community kitchens in Norfolk, ensuring the local population benefited as part of our local communities helping local communities initiative.
The Country Food Trust wants and can do much more with your help. We need more meat, and that means finding more estates, farms and landowners willing to help. Speak to your local farm, estate or landowner and ask that they donate at least some of the deer culled in their land management plans. Every deer donated increases the number of meals we can provide to people struggling with food poverty. If you can help please get in touch at enquiries@thecountryfoodtrust.com, or on our social media platforms.
We are always looking for monetary donations and new partners to work with. If you are interested in supporting us, do not know how or may know someone who might be, please get in touch and help us feed people in need.
