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The Food Bank is grateful for members of our incredible community who offer meaningful gifts through monetary donations as well as those who give valuable resources through direct, impactful food donations.
Among these generous supporters are David and Deborah Wehrman, who spent many years on their farm near Centralia, Missouri, tending to their beloved pet cow, Nutmeg. Nutmeg was one of several "Spice Girls," cows within their gentle herd all lovingly named and cared for by the Wehrmans. Each of the Spice Girls helped provide companionship, comfort and a sense of peace to the Wehrman home.
Deborah says that Nutmeg “... lived ‘the life of Nutmeg,’ stress-free and in harmony with others on our farm in rural Audrain County. Her purpose was to keep our pastures trimmed and bring ‘farm life’ to our place.”
As Nutmeg aged, David and Deborah accepted that her life couldn’t be sustained much longer. Having lost several of their other pet cows on their farm in years prior, David wanted to proactively consider ways to use Nutmeg’s passing to make a difference.
“... I don't know that God made cows just to die and bury. So… I thought, well, we ought to get some kind of use out of her. There's a lot of hungry people,” David says.
David heard from others near their farm that Mizzou Meat Market, operated through the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, was a USDA-certified meat processor. This certification is a requirement for selling and formally distributing meat. After connecting with both Mizzou Meat Market and The Food Bank, the Wehrmans agreed that they wanted to use Nutmeg’s life to help bring grass-fed, antibiotic-free ground beef to those facing hunger in our local communities.
Now, the Wehrmans are able to look back with gratitude on the time they spent with Nutmeg, while also having the assurance that her life has created a legacy of hope by bringing nutritious and valuable protein to those facing hunger. David also states that they plan to make similar donations to The Food Bank in the future.
“Now, [Nutmeg] can serve others,” Deborah says.