Fair to Fork helps 4-H members and the community with food insecurities

Casper, Wyo. – Fairs in Natrona and Converse County are only a month away. And with that, the hard work of 4-H and FFA members will be coming to an end. However the work to keep our communities fed continues, and that’s where a special program called the Fair to Fork comes in.

Established in 2021, the Fair to Fork initiative is a partnership between the Wyoming Hunger Initiative and UW Extension.

It’s a way to help battle food insecurities in Wyoming… especially the expensive, high protein and natural foods like pork. 

“It would be just to help out organizations that have food insecurities. So, a food pantry, a boys and girl clubs, senior citizen centers that are feeding folks who are food insecure or can’t maybe make ends meet are able to get that high quality protein,” said Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon.

Gordon says the Fair to Fork hunger initiative buys a kids secondary 4-H project that can’t be sold at the youth livestock sales… Then donates that meat to the anti-hunger organization of that kid’s choice.

“There’s one in every county. They are chosen by lottery system with the 4-H educator and then we are able to pay the child for their pig at $750 and then once the pig is processed, then the child gets to choose the agency where they want it donated in their community.”

It’s an initiative and an opportunity that not only helps make money for a hardworking 4-H or FFA kid with their extra projects but also helps educate them on what their community offers.

“They’re able to, you know, promote themselves a little bit too. They’re philanthropic, they’re finding ways to donate to their local organizations,” said Gordon.

But the Fair to Fork is more than just feeding others, the First Lady adds that it can create connections that can be built upon for a lifetime.

“Being able to really look into your community and understand organizations that maybe you didn’t even know about. Then maybe there’s an opportunity later that you may go and volunteer for it or they may come seek out 4-H groups to do something with them because of that connection that they make with just something as simple as donating their pig.”

Those who get selected for 2025 will be presented and receive a plaque at the Wyoming State Fair in Douglas in August.