Moose and Caribou Meat Donations in Newfoundland and Labrador

Food banks and food programs can now accept raw moose and caribou meat donations. This follows the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador's 2020 announcement.

We’ve included information about the donation process for food banks/programs and hunters below. Sharing the Harvest NL is another excellent resource. This provincial non-profit specializes in supporting hunters, fishers, and farmers to donate locally sourced food to food banks across the province. They are the best resource for up-to-date information.

For Food Banks and Food Programs

This section contains information about how to receive moose and caribou donations and other ways to include wild game in your food programming.

You don’t need a permit to receive other types of country food donations (e.g. capelin, hares, berries) but you may need to record some basic information about the hunter/trapper. Contact Sharing the Harvest NL for more information.

Steps to receive moose and caribou donations 

 

Step 1: Register With Service NL

All food banks/programs must be registered with ServiceNL to get the moose/caribou donations permit. This registration is open to any non-profit food program, including food banks and meal programs.

To register, complete the registration application in the Standard Health Guidelines for Not-for-Profit Organizations PDF (last page). The application requires the organization’s contact information, a list of food preparation events, and a list of the type/source of prepared food.

Submit a paper copy of the application to your nearest Government Service Centre.

Once your registration form is processed, you’ll receive a Nonprofit Organization Registration Number from ServiceNL. This will come by mail. Note that this is different from your organization’s registration number with Companies and Deeds.

Step 2: Get Your Permit

Any food bank/program registered with ServiceNL can apply for a free permit to receive and distribute moose/caribou meat.

To apply for the permit, call the Government of NL’s Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025.

For more information about the permit and application, email wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca.

Step 3: Get the Word Out

Once you have your registration and permit, let hunters know you can accept donations. You can post on your social media, contact hunters in your community directly, or however else you can spread the word.

Sharing the Harvest NL can also help connect you with hunters. Find them online on their Facebook Page or email them at SharingTheHarvestNL@gmail.com.

Step 4: Watch for the Donation Deadline

As of 2024, food banks/programs can receive moose/caribou donations from currently licensed hunters from the time it is harvested/butchered up to the day before the next big game season opens. However, non-profits may choose different deadlines. For example, Sharing the Harvest only receives/distributes donations up to one week after the big game season ends.

Licensed butchers approved by ServiceNL must butcher all moose/caribou donations. Meat can be donated in any cut (i.e. ground, steaks, roasts, etc.).

Please refer to your permit for the most up-to-date information and contact wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca with any questions.

Other Ways to Integrate Wild Game into Your Programs

Receiving and distributing frozen moose and caribou meat isn’t the only way an organization can incorporate wild game into their program(s). 

You can serve hot meals of wild game as part of a food-sharing program or as a fundraiser. You may also want to hunt your own moose with the help of a designated hunter. 

 

Wild Meat Service Licence

The Wild Meat Service Licence is available for restaurants and other organizations with commercial kitchen access. With this licence, non-profits can receive donations of or purchase game meat from hunters authorized to sell, prepare it into a meal, and serve it on their premises to clients. 

You can get a wild Meat Service Licence from the Wildlife Division of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. For more information contact the Wildlife Division at contact wildlifelicense@gov.nl.ca and read more under Big Game Regulations on their website.

Non-Profit Moose Licence

Non-profit moose licences are available each year. Organizations may apply for a Non-Profit Moose Licence to allow a moose to be hunted and served.

The annual Hunting and Trapping Guide has comprehensive information about non-profit moose licences under “General Information for All Hunters.”

Many organizations use this for fundraising efforts (i.e. a moose supper) but this could also be used to stock moose (or caribou) meat to give to clients. This is a distinct process from receiving donations from hunters with standard big game tags. To cook and serve a moose caught with this licence, you must also have a Wild Meat Service Licence.

For Hunters

Hunters can choose where they donate their moose/caribou meat and work directly with a permitted food bank or program. Sharing the Harvest NL can also help you find a food program in your area or you can donate to them directly (St. John’s metro only). For more information, contact SharingTheHarvestNL@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.

The basic process

  1. Get your moose! 

  2. Bring the meat to a government-licenced butcher/abattoir. Butchering the meat is at the hunter’s expense. However, Sharing the Harvest NL may be able to offer hunters financial assistance for any meat processing costs associated with a moose/caribou donation.

    Any cut of meat can be donated but we recommend asking the program receiving the meat what’s best for them. Many food banks prefer ground meat.

  3. Find a food program with the necessary permits to accept moose/caribou meat. For the most up-to-date listing of permitted food programs, contact Sharing the Harvest NL.

  4. Contact the food program and confirm they can accept the donation and will have space for it when it’s ready from the butcher. Confirm if they require frozen donations or can accept fresh meat as well.

  5. Pick the donation up from the butcher and bring it to the food program you’ve contacted. Ask them about their donation deadlines and plan accordingly.