The University of California (UC) Master Food Preservers (MFP) is a public service and community outreach program under the University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR). Its certified program participants extend up-to-date, research-based information to the public on food safety and safe food preservation at home.
UC MFPs are members of a countrywide network who share research findings from the USDA and US university cooperative extension food and nutrition programs. The task of sorting through the plethera of available material can be daunting, so the UC MFP statewide site created catalogs of current publications and videos to facilitate your searching. Please note that this is a moving target and also, research is ongoing.
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension maintains the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) website with up-to-date information and the latest news and updates.
The first UC MFP OC class was trained in 2011. Each Orange County (OC) Master Food Preserver (MFP) is a resident of Orange County who has been formally educated in food preservation/food safety and is certified by the UC cooperative extension (UCCE). In return, each MFP commits to a working predefined number of volunteer hours and continuing education hours each year.
The MFP OC title, which cannot be used for personal gain, must be renewed each year through successful recertification.
A certified MFP OC volunteer is qualified to teach food preservation/food safety in addition to disseminating that information via lectures, talks and other county events. Here are examples of program-approved activities in Orange County:
- Answer food preservation questions from the public by email, web form, and phone.
- Staff information booths and present food preservation demonstrations at the Orange County Fair and other local public events in Orange County.
- Develop and provide publications, educational materials, and web resources on all aspects of food preservation, including food safety, canning, freezing, drying, pickling, and preparing jams and jellies.
- Provide classes and workshops on home food preservation in Orange County.
Please explore our website for resources and to learn more about food safety and safe home food preservation; attend our information booths, demonstrations, classes or workshop where we'll be happy to speak with you and answer questions. Follow us on social media: FaceBook UCCE-Master-Food-Preserver-OC and Instagram Master_Food_Preservers_OC
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the UC Master Food Preserver program, read on:
- California Master Food Preserver Programs are administered by local county-based University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices.
- Our UC MFP OC program exists with the support and administration of the UCCE office in Orange County, so only Orange County residents are eligible to join the MFPOC program, and all of our volunteer opportunities occur within Orange County.
- If you are an Orange County resident, click here for more information about joining us.
- If you reside elsewhere in California, you may apply to your county's MFP program,
or if you county has no program, you are eligible to apply for an online-only program.
In either case, check with the UC MFP statewide website.
Need assistance or more information?
You can communicate with the Master Food Preservers of Orange County via email by clicking on one of the following links then completing and submitting the associated form:
- Got a Question? (Helpline) for questions about food safety or food preservation methods
- Request a Speaker for information about scheduling a Master Food Preserver for your public Orange County event
- Sign up for Email from MFP OC
- Contact Us for anything else