Idaho Looks To Give Hunger The Boot

Idaho’s beef community has issued a challenge, encouraging everyone statewide to help Give Hunger The Boot.

The Idaho Foodbank says the need for hunger relief statewide is greater now than ever before.  Rising food prices, economic pressures, and ongoing challenges for working families have increased reliance on The Idaho Foodbank statewide.  Rural areas have seen a sharp rise in demand for nutrient-dense foods, especially high-quality protein which is the item most frequently requested by families facing food insecurity and the most difficult for food banks to source.

Fifteen Years Of Making A Difference In Idaho

The Give Hunger the Boot campaign comes as the Beef Counts program celebrates 15 years of delivering beef to Idahoans facing food insecurity.  Since its inception in 2010, Beef Counts has supplied more than 2.8 million servings of nutritious beef through The Idaho Foodbank’s statewide network of community partners.  Beef Counts is a effort that unites the Idaho Beef Council, Idaho Cattle Association, Agri Beef, Idaho CattleWomen Council, and Idaho’s ranching families. Together, these partners work to ensure that Idahoans have consistent access to nutrient-dense protein.

"Beef Counts gives farmers, ranchers and others in the industry a meaningful way to give back, sharing the high quality, high protein beef we are so proud to raise on Idaho’s beautiful landscapes. It is an honor to provide a nutritious product that can fuel people in need year-round,” said the Idaho Beef Council's Bruce Kerner.

Donations Help Idahoans Facing Food Insecurity

So far in 2025, donors and sponsors have contributed $147,177 in cash donations, allowing The Idaho Foodbank to keep beef available as a staple in its nutrition-focused food distributions. In addition, Agri Beef matches up to $50,000 in cash and in-kind donations.

“High-quality protein is one of the items families ask for most,” said Amy Luginbill, Development Manager at The Idaho Foodbank. “The Beef Counts program helps us provide beef, the second largest agricultural product in Idaho and a nutritionally essential item, to communities in need across the state.”

As Beef Counts enters its 15th year, Idaho’s beef industry invites producers, businesses, and community members to join the effort to Give Hunger the Boot.  For more information about sponsoring or supporting Beef Counts, contact the Idaho Beef Council at (208) 376-6004 or BeefCouncil@IDBeef.org. 

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