Eastern States Exposition Rounds Up Beef from 4-H Sale for Hunger Relief Efforts
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Every year, the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) board of trustees donates beef purchased at the Big E’s 4-H Beef Sale to organizations that combat food insecurity in Western Mass.
On Nov. 20, ESE President and CEO Gene Cassidy, accompanied by West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt and members of the ESE staff, visited the Parish Cupboard, Open Pantry, and Friends of the Homeless to donate the beef. Each food shelter received more than 300 pounds of beef to help those in need in Greater Springfield.
The 4-H Beef Program is a staple of the agriculture showcase at the Big E. The program is the culmination of more than a year’s worth of labor and dedication by 4-H students from across New England. The 4-H Beef Sale, the final event of the program, occurs in the Mallary Complex during the fair and provides an opportunity for buyers to support rising agriculture workers by rewarding their hard work and purchasing a project steer.
This year, the 4-H Beef Sale saw its most successful auction to date: 44 steers were sold at an average of $7.77 per pound. Auction sales totaled $424,946, which is a 67% increase from 2024. The ESE board of trustees purchased the highly commended overall steer, which weighed 1,510 pounds and was raised by Angelina Otero of Connecticut. The board also purchased the fifth-place medium weight steer, a 1,270-pound steer raised by Zoey Violette of Massachusetts.
“The 4-H Beef Program is one of Eastern States Exposition’s time-honored agricultural initiatives,” Cassidy said. “The ultimate event of the program, the beef auction, is a fantastic evening that brings together prospective buyers from local businesses, colleges, and university food service programs to hungry people, all with a common goal: creating agricultural markets that support our future producers. Our board of trustees is proud to then donate the beef they purchase to nonprofit organizations focused on feeding those in need among us, supporting the community we strive to uplift.”
It is key that ESE’s year-round programming aligns with its founding purpose: to support agriculture, innovation, and education throughout New England and beyond. Students in 4-H learn foundational life skills and responsibilities through initiatives including the 4-H Beef Program at the Big E.
“When you buy from the 4-H Beef Sale, you’re supporting agriculture, you’re supporting youth, and you’re providing for those in need,” Cassidy said. “All the while, you’re getting a great deal on quality beef. The beef sale does a lot of good on a lot of levels.”
