ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) – Buried Stone Farms is one of two U.P. businesses that will take your deer to help feed hungry families.
Elliot Eckstein, owner of Buried Stone Farms, has been selling and distributing meat for about three years.
“I started doing it for myself, and also, I started out of my garage selling meat to different places in Marquette and all over the U.P.,” said Eckstein.
About a year ago, he moved Buried Stone Farms into a store on Sheridan Road in Escanaba. Eckstein and his team of about 15 people process all kinds of meat.
“We take deer that are crop-damaged deer, we take bear, we take all different types of wild game here,” said Eckstein.
During firearm deer season, which begins Saturday, Eckstein says about 50 deer get processed per day at his store.
“Our workload pretty much triples and it’s like the Super Bowl,” said Eckstein.
Eckstein says he couldn’t have grown his business without support from the U.P. Now, he’s giving back by joining the Hunters Feeding Michigan program.
Hunters can drop their deer off at Buried Stone Farms any time of day. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says one donated deer can add up to about 160 meals.
“It’s really cool that my business is able to help a family when it’s a hard time,” said Eckstein. “I do take a lot of pride in that.”
In fiscal year 2025, the DNR-run program donated 560,000 servings of venison across the state, setting a new annual record.
Buried Stone Farms and Soderman’s Processing in Gladstone are the only U.P locations participating in the program.
“When you lend a hand to somebody and you help somebody have a dinner, a meal, they’ll never forget that,” said Eckstein. “They’ll remember that for a long time, especially if they really can’t afford food at the time.”
Eckstein says you can drop your deer off any time of day at the back of the building. Just leave your name and number attached to the deer.
Buried Stone Farms is open every day: Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ET and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
The store will hold a donation drive Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 23 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Monetary donations to Hunters Feeding Michigan can be made here.
More information about Hunters Feeding Michigan and other ways to donate can be found here.
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