Discover the Wild: Missoula Forager Collaborates on Global Study of Edible Wild Foods

MISSOULA — With Easter egg hunts all around, many are getting into the spirit of gathering. However, Cathryn Raan from Missoula is taking it a step further by adopting a diet composed entirely of wild foods. “Everything must be foraged or hunted,” she stated.

Raan is part of the Wildbiome Project, a global study exploring the health effects of wild diets. This project began in the UK when Monica Wilde spent a whole year subsisting on nothing but wild foods. In 2023, she launched a smaller trial, involving over 100 participants from around the world, Raan being one of the few from the United States.

Participants undergo various health tests, including blood work and gut analysis, to determine how wild foods impact their health. Raan chose to follow the three-month diet, which includes everything from stinging nettle to wild-caught octopus. She often incorporates ingredients from her Montana roots.

“I grew up in Troy, Montana, where I loved picking huckleberries,” Raan recalled. Her journey went from enjoying huckleberries to discovering mushrooms and the medicinal qualities of wild plants, eventually sparking a passion for foraging and herbal medicine through her business, Wild Wanders.

Raan has shifted her perspective on food. “Now, I think strategically about what my body needs, rather than just eating for pleasure,” she explained. This diet influences her everyday life. Foraging demands time and effort, and preparing wild foods often requires creativity.

Recently, she made a delicious soup with stinging nettles, fried chicken mushrooms, and chanterelles. Currently, she’s relying on her freezer’s bounty from last summer and fall, while also looking forward to fresh greens as spring unfolds.

“This is as fresh as you can get,” Raan said. “It’s not shipped in from far away. It’s often picked freshly and sometimes eaten right on the spot.”

She advocates for foraging, emphasizing the need for safety and understanding which plants to avoid. “Get to know the plants that can be harmful,” she cautioned.

Raan is looking forward to the outcomes of the Wildbiome Project, hopeful that the results will validate the benefits she’s experiencing and encourage more people to forage. It’s not just about food, she says; it’s about empowering oneself in one’s health and lifestyle.

According to a recent survey by the USDA, interest in foraging and wild food consumption is on the rise, especially among younger generations. Many are searching for ways to connect with their local environment and make healthier food choices.

Raan’s journey is a reminder that food can be more than just sustenance; it can create a deeper connection to the land around us. For those intrigued by foraging, resources like Wildbiome Project offer valuable insights on safely navigating this enriching lifestyle.

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