09/21/2026
Members of the beef industry, their families, and foodbank volunteers distributed beef from the Beef Counts program this summer at a local foodbank in Wilder.
The Idaho Foodbank Development Manager Amy Loganbill says last year the Beef Counts program raised enough money to serve 230,000 servings of beef and hopes to meet or exceed that in 2026.
“We know that beef is a really important part of a healthy diet so the program is critical to helping us provide that consistent source of protein that we know can go out to families in the community,” Luginbill says. “Being able to provide this amazing high-quality beef through the program is really special.”
Luginbill also cites 92% of the revenue received goes directly back into programming and food so every dollar donated helps ensure that nutritious protein is going to people who really need it and who otherwise would not able to access it.
It’s estimated that 12.7% of Idahoans are experiencing food security and that includes about 16% percent of kids. The Foodbank serves around 216,000 people every month through various local food distribution sites, according to Luginbill.
Cesar Renteria is the assistant general manager at Wilder Cattle Feeders in Wilder and volunteered for the event.
“We want to be good neighbors and help where we can,” Renteria says. “The community members coming through say that beef is really important to them because they’re not able to get access to it because of their income, so it’s really nice to hear that this is making a difference.”
