Iron is a mineral in our body that is vital to health and wellness. It helps our blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. One simple way to get iron in your body is through your diet. Most people do not realize that using cast iron cookware can help your intake of this essential mineral.

Whitley County Cooperative Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Sciences Education partnered together to do a program using cast iron cookware over an open fire to prepare a meal. During this program, several topics were discussed that included food safety, cleaning and care of your cookware, and time and temperature for your recipes.

There were 11 people in attendance who had minimal experience cooking with cast iron over an open flame. As a result of the class, 97% of those in attendance knew what the danger zone was (the temperature range where food bacteria grow the most). All participants had a piece of cast iron cookware and said they were more likely to use it after this class. A follow up evaluation will be sent this winter to assess if they used the information presented.