Heart, grit, and lot of Montana beef: Producer Partnership

We support Producer Partnership because they’re creating practical, local solutions to food insecurity in Montana. Their work strengthens food security while supporting Montana’s producers and communities. We are proud to be an early supporter. - High Stakes Foundation

Producer Partnership started with a simple idea during the early days of the pandemic: what if ranchers with extra beef could help feed Montanans in need? What began as a grassroots effort in Livingston quickly turned into a statewide model for solving hunger and supporting local agriculture at the same time.

Founded by Matt Pierson, a Paradise Valley rancher, the Partnership rallied producers, processors, and volunteers to donate, process, and distribute beef to local schools and food banks across Montana. They saw gaps in both the food supply chain and the hunger safety net—and they filled them with community-driven action. The simple idea of donating local protein and investing in local infrastructure has resulted in the first and only USDA federally inspected owned and operated nonprofit processing facility in the United States.

Since 2020, the organization has delivered hundreds of thousands of pounds of Montana beef to families, seniors, and kids facing food insecurity. They have donated close to 350,000 pounds of protein across Montana, which equates to roughly 1.4 million meals. The protein is distributed statewide to schools, senior centers, and approved nonprofit organizations. Farmers and ranchers can even specify where they would like their protein contribution to go, and they receive a tax contribution letter. With each pound of protein processed, Producer Partnership is not only nourishing bodies; they are also nurturing hope and resilience within our communities.

Producer Partnership isn’t just about food—it’s about dignity, relationships, and solving problems the Montana way: together. They’ve built a network that includes ranchers, nonprofits, food banks, and policymakers, proving that when rural and urban communities come together, big things can happen. In a state where both agriculture and hunger are realities, Producer Partnership is turning one into a solution for the other—with heart, grit, and a lot of Montana beef.

The Producer Partnership has benefited greatly from the generosity of funds from the High Stakes Foundation. We are grateful for their dedicated advocacy and support in granting funds to our organization and their commitment to championing our efforts. Support and efforts are making a difference. - Jeri Delys, Program Manager

Mission: Farmers and Ranchers working to end hunger in Montana.

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