Meat, pork from Stark County Fair animal sales winds up back in community via donations

Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent
·2 min read
Payton Walker, 17, of Paris Township, dries off her beef feeder during the 2023 Stark County Fair. Overall, the fair helped to generate about 283,000 pounds of edible beef this year.
Payton Walker, 17, of Paris Township, dries off her beef feeder during the 2023 Stark County Fair. Overall, the fair helped to generate about 283,000 pounds of edible beef this year.

MASSILLON – Animal sales at the 2023 Stark County Fair resulted in approximately 283,000 pounds of meat going into the local food market while generating about $1.26 million in sales.

Of the total, market beef from the fair had the bulk of livestock sales, nearing 137,000 pounds and equating to more than $612,000.

Fair images: Scenes from the 2023 Stark County Fair

"These kids (raising animals) are hard workers and very community-oriented," said Jill Sterling, Stark County Fair Board vice president and member. "They're not afraid to get their hands dirty. And many of them are already working on beef projects for next year."

Market dairy beef was the next highest seller at this year's fair, coming in with nearly 55,000 pounds sold. That brought in more than $148,000 in sales.

Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula, left, and Jack Flinner of G&F Family Farms in Navarre help deliver nearly 200 pounds of pork last week to the Salvation Army in Massillon. The meat will be given to local families in need.
Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula, left, and Jack Flinner of G&F Family Farms in Navarre help deliver nearly 200 pounds of pork last week to the Salvation Army in Massillon. The meat will be given to local families in need.

Hog sales were the second runner-up at this year's fair, according to unofficial numbers from fair officials that were provided to The Independent. Overall, the pounds of pig sold came in at more than 40,500, while monetary sales totaled more than $190,000.

Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula last week doled out about 150 pounds of ham at The Salvation Army of Massillon, 315 Sixth St. NE, to help feed needy families.

Regula said he has bought a pig or lamb at the county fair for the past few years as a way to share food with area residents. His pork donation to the Salvation Army was the second since 2020.

"It's good to support the 4-H kids and the county fair," Regula said. "And we know about the need (for food donations) at the Salvation Army."

Jack Flinner, of G&F Family Farms in Navarre, also donated some pork to the Salvation Army last week.

Brennen Hinzman, center, captain and pastor at the Salvation Army of Massillon, helps unload boxes of donated pork last week given to the organization by Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula, left, and Navarre farmer Jack Flinner.
Brennen Hinzman, center, captain and pastor at the Salvation Army of Massillon, helps unload boxes of donated pork last week given to the organization by Stark County Commissioner Richard Regula, left, and Navarre farmer Jack Flinner.

Buyers tend to purchase 4-H or Future Farmers of American animals at the fair, Sterling said.

"There are a lot of different organizations (or individuals) that work to get food out to people (in need)," she said.

Brennen Hinzman, captain and pastor at the Salvation Army, called the pork donation by Regula and Flinner a boost for those needing food assistance.

Meat donations are among the toughest to come by, according to Hinzman.

"Beef (and ham) are getting more expensive to buy," he said. This donation is fantastic and helpful to a lot of families who will appreciate it."

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Stark County Fair beef, ham sales help produce food for local families