Governor Gianforte Contributes Salary to Support Montana Hunger Relief

Donates quarter of annual governor's salary to The Producer Partnership

Governor's Office

LIVINGSTON, Mont. - Continuing his commitment to give back to Montanans in need, Governor Greg Gianforte today announced he is donating a quarter of his salary to The Producer Partnership, a Montana nonprofit dedicated to ending hunger with locally raised beef and other animal proteins.

"As Montanans, we look out for one another and help our neighbors in times of need," Gov. Gianforte said. "Producer Partnership brings together folks from across our ag community to help feed families. I am proud to support their work and the difference they are making for people all across our state especially in a time when vulnerable Montanans and food banks are feeling the pinch of the Democrat-led shutdown."

Gov. Gianforte presents a salary donation to The Producer Partnership

Founded in 2020, The Producer Partnership partners with livestock producers across Montana to accept donated animals, process them at no cost to the producer, and distribute the meat to food banks and charitable organizations statewide. Since its founding, the organization has donated nearly 350,000 pounds of Montana raised animal protein to communities in need.

Currently, Producer Partnership is processing and coordinating the delivery of pork to food banks across Montana to support increased demand due to the pause of federal food assistance from the government shutdown. On October 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notified state agencies to halt distribution of food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the month of November. Earlier this week, USDA notified states it would be partially funding SNAP during the month of November with emergency funds. The federal government remains closed after Senate Democrats have voted 14 times against funding the government.

During a visit to the Producer Partnership facility, the governor met with staff and volunteers and presented a large check with the donation. The value represents a quarter of the governor's annual salary after tax and was contributed to support processing costs to expedite the delivery of Montana raised protein to communities. In October 2020, the governor committed to Montanans he would contribute his salary as governor to nonprofit organizations and charities in the state.

"The salary donation is huge for us," said Matt Pierson, founder of Producer Partnership. "There is so much potential for what we can do, in terms of intern programs to expanding what we already have and trying to turn this different model into something sustainable and productive."

Producer Partnership is Montana's first USDA inspected nonprofit meat processing facility. The facility allows donated animals to be processed locally, keeping more value in Montana communities while helping feed families statewide.

The organization employs 10 full-time staff members and works with the Montana Food Bank Network to get protein in food banks across the state. It has also helped about 50 schools around the state, taking donations from local ranches, inspecting the meat, and sending it to schools for consumption.

The nonprofit also operates an internship program for local high school students to gain experience and school credit for assisting with animal processing. During the governor's visit to the Livingston facility, the governor met with students from Joliet High School who are participating in the internship program.

Producer Partnership relies on the generosity of Montana ranchers and donors to continue its work connecting locally raised protein to communities in need. To learn more about the nonprofit and how to donate, visit producerpartnership.com .

Since taking office in January 2021, Gov. Gianforte has donated a quarter of his salary to nonprofits and organizations that strengthen Montana communities and support those in need.

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