Success StoryCook Wild Kentucky



Cook Wild Kentucky

Author: Amanda Dame

Planning Unit: Hopkins County CES

Major Program: Cook Wild Kentucky

Plan of Work: SNAP Education

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Food insecurity is an issue across America, especially in communities across Kentucky. According to the United States Census, 18% of Hopkins County residents live in poverty. Fortunately, there are several community agencies that assist with meeting the needs of Hopkins County residents. One program that has been adopted to address food insecurity issues is Hungers for the Hungry. This program allows hunters to donate their harvested deer to local food banks across the state. Once the meat is processed and frozen it is given out to food bank recipients. Initially, after the program began residents did not know how to prepare ground deer meat for their families. In response to this the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, Hunter for the Hungry, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Feeding Kentucky, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife created Cook Wild Kentucky. Partners worked together to develop recipes using Wild Game including deer that could be shared across the state and with food banks. As with many programs, there are times the local community members are not aware of the program and overall goal. In order to bring more awareness to the program and to the data behind hunger in communities an educational lesson was developed. This lesson shared the definitions of food security and insecurity, shared data related to food insecurity in the Pennyrile Area, and the Cook Wild program along with the developed recourses for the program. The lesson was open to all counties in the Pennyrile Area, targeting Extension Homemaker Groups. As a result of the program, those who reported there was a 68% increase in knowledge of the Cook Wild Kentucky Program. 73% increase in knowledge of resources available relating to Cook Wild. 57% increase in awareness of Hunger in the participants' community. 66% increase in the awareness of ways participants can bring awareness to hunger in their communities. As a result of the program participants indicated they would try more Cook Wild recipes, and share information with family and friends. One participant indicated they were going to work towards getting a "Blessing Box" in their community to help address the food insecurity in their community. Another participant shared she would donate more to food banks and volunteer at their local Salvation Army kitchen. 






Stories by Amanda Dame


Working with FCS Program Councils

about 3 years ago by Amanda Dame

At times Cooperative Extension Agents can struggle with developing ideas to engage program advisory ... Read More


Family and Consumer Sciences Extension supportive network

about 3 years ago by Amanda Dame

The University of Kentucky Cooperative ExtensionServicestrives to provide practical education tocomm... Read More


Stories by Hopkins County CES


Hopkins County Madisonville Fair

Hopkins County Madisonville Fair

about 3 years ago by Katie Mills

During the summer, the Cooperative Extension Hopkins County partners with the Hopkins County Madison... Read More


4-H Grab-N-Go Bags

4-H Grab-N-Go Bags

about 3 years ago by Katie Mills

As Covid-19 continues, we are incorporating new ideas for youth to participate in 4-H and have a hea... Read More