A local farmer is playing his part helping to provide meat for people in need throughout the country.
Owaka farmer Lyndon McNab is a ‘‘champion’’ for Meat the Need, a nationwide organisation aiming to provide meat for struggling households.
Mr McNab said his ears pricked up when he heard the organisation was established during lockdown in 2020 by Wayne Langford, a man known as the Yolo Farmer online who advocates for mental health.
‘‘My wife and I already had our sights set on the possibility of doing something along the lines of this, but we weren’t sure how to go about it, so we were quite excited when Meat the Need started up.
‘‘It was exactly what we wanted to be involved with,’’ Mr McNab said.
‘‘We were originally going to go to the butcher in Balclutha, but then this fell right into our lap,’’ he said.
Meat the Need liaises with Silver Fern Farms to safely and securely provide meat to people in need.
‘‘We donate the value of the animal and Silver Fern Farms processes it, then it’s sent out to whoever might need it.’’
Mr McNab said the reason he wanted to help out was for children, along with people who may not be as fortunate financially.
‘‘Myself and a lot of farmers who grew up on farms will understand that we were pretty privileged back in the day with having meat provided for us.
‘‘As a kid my family used to have two meals with meat a day. Back then we didn’t realise how fortunate we were, so I want to help out others who may not be as lucky,’’ he said.
Mr McNab said he enjoyed knowing the meat was helping out people in the area.
‘‘The meat donated from the farmer commonly stays in the region someone is donating from, so another person in the Otago and Southland region will likely be getting some of the animal I have donated.
‘‘It’s great that it helps close by, so we know we’re extending our hands to local people,’’ he said.
‘‘If you’re inclined towards charity through farming or not, and have money spare, there is no down side to donating to those who need it. It’s beneficial for anyone involved and is a wholesome way to give back.’’
Mr McNab encouraged people to look at the Meat the Need website to learn more.
