The ethically sourced wild venison on our shelves comes from Fair Game Wild Venison. The species harvested are generally either fallow deer or chital deer. Both are delicate and light in flavour compared to other species. Wild deer are free to roam and graze with no chemical inputs and no restrictions on diet or movements. Harvesters are trained in the ‘ethical shot’ meaning the animals harvested experience no stress in dispatch, no live-transport, no mustering into yards and no abattoir. Deer have a massive impact on the bush, and removing this introduced species from the natural environment leaves from for our native species to thrive.
Health Benefits of Venison:
Wild venison has almost no saturated fat, is high in protein, B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B-12 which aid brain and nervous system function, help
turn food into energy and keep your skin and hair healthy. It is high in zinc (for your immune system), iron (for forming red blood cells) and phosphorus (for kidney function and creating strong bones). Venison also freezes really well and will last up to 12 months in the freezer
Fair Game was founded by Jonas Widjaja. He discovered wild deer are a pest animal when he moved to the north coast of NSW. Deer were introduced into Australia from Europe in the 1800s as game animals. Now their numbers have grown and they’re damaging grasslands, forests, and grazing on crops and pasture meant for farm stock. To keep the deer population in check farmers often employ hunters to cull them in large numbers. His passion for food waste turned itself into Fair Game when, after discovering he was unable to donate excess meat after a hunting trip, he realized he could do something that would make a difference. He learnt about the convoluted legal process wild game harvesters go through to get meat on plates, and it spurred a passion that led to the formation of Fair Game Wild Venison.
“This business is really an alternative to the other control methods, one that is able to use the meat for human consumption while still supporting struggling farmers and reducing environmental damage,” says Jonas. His nose-to-tail philosophy means nothing is wasted, with offcuts being used to make venison salami. He also sells deer skins and antlers. In recognition of the quality, ethos and sustainability of the product, Fair Game was awarded a Gold Medal at the Delicious Produce Awards in both 2020 and 2021.
Sources:
EatWellTravelOften. (2020, May 30). Fair game wild venison. Eat Well Travel Often. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://eatwelltraveloften.com.au/fair-game-wild-venison/
Ethical eating. Australian Deer Association. (2020, December 10). Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.austdeer.com.au/2020/12/10/1381768/ethical-eating
Fair Game Wild Venison. (2021, November 29). Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://www.fairgame.com.au/