Producer Partnership processes livestock for nonprofits

The Producer Partnership completed free processing of livestock donated by local businesses and individuals during the Northwest Montana Fair livestock sale. The processed meat provides Flathead Valley nonprofit organizations with high-quality, locally raised protein at no cost.  

Recipient organizations include West Shore Food Bank, NW MT Veterans Food Pantry, Samaritan House, Columbia Falls Food Bank, MT Veterans Home, Flathead Food Bank, and Flathead County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels Program. 

“We were pleased to partner with the Flathead Livestock Sales Organization at the Northwest Montana Fair this year,” said Matt Pierson, founder and president of The Producer Partnership. “By processing animals donated through the 4H and FFA livestock sale at the fair, free of charge in our USDA-inspected facility in Livingston, we were able to open the doors for businesses to give more broadly to organizations across Flathead County.”  

Carla Dyment, director of the Flathead County Agency on Aging, said it is inspiring to see the community step up when the need for good nutrition is greater than ever.  

“We are deeply grateful to the businesses who purchased livestock during the Northwest Montana Fair to be donated to Meals on Wheels,” Dyment said. “Their generosity will provide enough protein for 5,000 meals for homebound seniors. For many of our participants, the meal we deliver is their primary source of daily nutrition—and the warm smile and friendly check-in from a volunteer driver may be their only social interaction all week.”  

Meals on Wheels provides 80,000 meals annually to several hundred homebound seniors, relying on the dedication of volunteer drivers and the generosity of the community.  

Founded in 2020 as a way for neighbors to help one another during the Covid pandemic, the Producer Partnership is the first and only USDA federally inspected, nonprofit owned and operated meat processing facility in the United States.