Success StoryCook Wild



Cook Wild

Author: Lorie Dunn

Planning Unit: Grant County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Currently 12.8% of Kentuckians live in poverty.  Many of these families receive assistance from local food pantries in addition to SNAP benefits.  Hunters for the Hungry provides many of these pantries with wild game but many families do not know how to prepare it.  The Grant County Nutrition Education program, Grant County 4-H, UK Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife collaborated to present a two month long Cook Wild for Grant County program.  The classes averaged 18-22 adults and children with 14 adults completing all of the classes.  The program kicked off with a free fishing day at our local Fishing in Neighborhoods (FINS) Lake Pollywog where participants were able to fish with poles and bait provided by Fish and Wildlife who also did a hands on demonstration of how to filet catfish.  Throughout the program, participants attended Healthy Choices classes with lessons including My Plate, Know the Limits, Budgeting, Labels, Meal Planning, Food Safety, Physical Activity, and Breakfast.  At each of these classes, participants prepared and sampled Cook Wild Recipes and practiced cooking skills and food safety.  Participants had the opportunity to practice using thermometers and 79% now use a food thermometer after receiving one to take home along with other kitchen tools for their own use.  They improved their handwashing after practicing with GloGerm and one participant stated “I thought I was doing a good job washing my hands but I need to do better.”   Hunters Education classes were offered and filled up quickly so an additional class will be offered this summer to allow Grant County residents to get their orange card.   Representatives from the University of Kentucky, Department of Agriculture taught participants how to field dress a deer safely and how to properly can meat.   A Field to Fork lesson on Squirrels was also taught by the Department of Fish and Wildlife which taught participants everything from hunting safety to preparing and sampling a recipe.  As a result of the classes, 70% of participants are exercising more, 93% improved their diets, and 64% are using a written food plan, making a shopping list, and eating vegetables, beans and peas more often.   One participant stated, “When I plan my meals, I spend less.  I have learned a lot from these classes.  Another stated, “I’m not afraid to cook deer meat now, the recipes are easy and a friend who hunts will give us meat to help us out.” Finally, one participant stated, “I bought a fishing license because it will give us fish to cook and a free activity for me and my family.” 






Stories by Lorie Dunn


Recipe for Life Returns

about 2 years ago by Lorie Dunn

Kentucky has a youth obesity rate of 23.8% in youth ages 10-17 and 18.9% of all Kentuckys children a... Read More


Cook Wild

about 2 years ago by Lorie Dunn

Currently 12.8% of Kentuckians live in poverty. Many of these families receive assistance from local... Read More


Stories by Grant County CES


Cooking Wild with Kentucky Wild Game

Cooking Wild with Kentucky Wild Game

about 2 years ago by Ari Veach

Hunting is a popular activity for people to do with their kids here in the state. With Kentuckys vas... Read More


Babysitting Made Easy

Babysitting Made Easy

about 2 years ago by Ari Veach

Babysitting made easy for all! What an amazing two days we had at the extension office with Babysitt... Read More


Stories by Nutrition and Food Systems General


Peter Rabbit Teaches Nutrition

Peter Rabbit Teaches Nutrition

about 2 years ago by Karen Denniston

According to kentuckyhealthfacts.org, only 10% of Kentuckians eat the recommended amounts of fruits ... Read More


Spreading the Word About SNAP-Ed

Spreading the Word About SNAP-Ed

about 2 years ago by LaToya Drake

The Cooperative Extension Service is known in some circles as “ the best-kept secret.” The Extension... Read More