Closing the Weekend Hunger Gap with Wyoming Beef – By Trista Olstrom

Across Wyoming, agriculture is more than an industry — it is a way of life that sustains our communities. The ranchers, farmers, and producers who steward our land and livestock help keep our state strong. Their dedication not only fuels Wyoming’s economy, but also helps ensure families and children across the state have access to nutritious food.

One powerful example of agriculture supporting communities can be seen through the Beef for Backpacks program led by First Lady Jennie’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative. This effort connects Wyoming ranchers and local processors with children facing food insecurity, helping ensure they have access to high-quality protein when school meals are unavailable over the weekend.

In Wyoming, an estimated 28,000 children experience food insecurity. While many schools provide breakfast and lunch during the week, weekends can present a difficult gap for families who struggle to keep food on the table. Backpack programs across the state help fill this gap by sending children home on Fridays with bags of food to sustain them until Monday.

Beef for Backpacks strengthens these efforts by providing Wyoming-raised beef sticks that are nutritious, shelf-stable, and easy to include in weekend food bags. By sourcing beef locally and working with Wyoming processors, the program supports our state’s agricultural producers while delivering high-quality protein to children who need it most. The program works in partnership with organizations including 307 Meat Company, the Wyoming Beef Council, and the Wyoming Stock Growers Association to ensure high-quality Wyoming beef is processed and distributed to communities across the state.

Today, more than 275,000 beef sticks are distributed through the program each year, reaching over 7,141 children every week through school and community-based backpack programs across Wyoming. These partnerships ensure students have access to a nourishing snack that can support their health, growth, and ability to focus in the classroom.

Programs like Beef for Backpacks highlight the important role agriculture plays beyond the ranch gate. Wyoming producers are not only feeding the nation — they are helping care for their neighbors and strengthening communities across the state. When we support Wyoming agriculture, we are also investing in the health and well-being of Wyoming families.