Issue
Each summer, California’s farms and home gardens produce an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. However, nearly 8 million tons of California-grown produce is wasted each year. Home food preservation offers a practical solution to help reduce this loss while extending the enjoyment of seasonal harvests.
Research-based food preservation methods including canning, dehydrating, food storage, and pickling allow families to safely preserve fresh produce for future use. Using scientifically tested recipes and techniques is essential to prevent life-threatening illness and ensure preserved foods remain safe and nutritious.
How UC Delivers
To promote safe home food preservation, San Diego Master Food Preservers have provided educational outreach at the San Diego County Fair for the past two years. During the 20 days of the 2026 fair, 24 UC Master Food Preserver volunteers contributed more than 800 hours of community service to educate fairgoers about safe, research-based food preservation practices.
Located in O’Brien Hall, the UC Master Food Preserver booth featured displays of preserved foods, hands-on demonstrations, opportunities for visitors to “Ask a Master Food Preserver,” and information about future education workshops, newsletters, and research-tested recipes. Volunteers also presented live food preservation demonstrations on the Farm2U Stage, sharing practical techniques that attendees could confidently use at home.
The Impact
Throughout the fair, an estimated 3,340 visitors stopped by the UC Master Food Preserver booth to interact with the table, ask questions, and learn about safe home food preservation. More than 100 community members completed an anonymous evaluation survey to share impressions and feedback to measure the impact of the exhibit.
Survey results demonstrated meaningful increases in knowledge and interest:
- 98% reported the exhibit improved their understanding of safe home food preservation
- 92% said they were motivated to learn more about preserving food safely
- 77% indicated they were likely to try one or more home food preservation methods they learned about during their visit
By increasing public awareness and confidence in research-based home food preservation techniques, UC Master Food Preservers are helping San Diego County residents make better use of seasonal produce. Greater knowledge of home food preservation can help households waste less food and prevent potentially fatal foodborne illnesses. Through ongoing workshops, demonstrations, and trusted educational resources, the program empowers community members with the knowledge and skills needed to safely preserve California’s abundant harvest.
