UC Master Food Preserver

2027 Training Program

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Participating Programs 

The following programs are participating in the 2027 statewide(online) new volunteer training program (as of 7/1/26):

  • Fresno/Madera/Merced
  • Humboldt/Del Norte
  • Sacramento
  • Solano/Yolo
  • Tulare

Program Information

The goal of the training program is to educate volunteers in food safety and core food preservation techniques, so they can teach the general public how to safely preserve food, both short-term and long-term, at home. 

  • The training program is a combination of pre-recorded videos, online quizzes, reading assignments, case studies completed with a mentor, live interactive classes, and in-person labs to practice the methods learned in class, taught locally at the offices of the participating programs. Students use Google Classroom to track assignments and class links.
  • Applicants must be available to attend the online classes listed below.  Each local program will post its local in-person lab dates.
  • Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the Internet. Quizzes and homework are online; class communication is via email. Accepted applicants must be fingerprinted for DOJ clearance in California.
  • View our current syllabus draft for details about the program; the final version will be posted before the application deadline.
  • The interactive live classes are offered twice per topic. Applicants will sign up for either the Thursday evening track (6:30-8:30 pm) or the Friday afternoon track (2:00-4:00 pm).

How to Apply

Attend/watch the online information session to learn about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. Three live Q&A sessions are available to address any additional questions you have about the training program. 

  • Required Training Information Session:
    • Thursday, September 10, 2026: 6:30–7:30 pm
      Watch the recorded training information meeting
  • Optional Q&A Sessions(please attend/watch the recorded training information session before attending):
    • Friday, October 9, 2026: 12:00–1:00 pm
    • Friday, October 23, 2026: 2:00–3:00 pm
    • Thursday, November 12, 2026: 6:30–7:30 pm

Applications are due by the end of Sunday, November 15, 2026. Interviews will be conducted by local programs in late November and/or early December.

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2027 Class Schedule

Online (Zoom) classes are on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 pm or Fridays from 2:00-4:00 pm, unless otherwise specified. In-person labs are scheduled by the local programs at a county location near you. See your program's training page for more information on labs. 

  • Jan 7 (6:30-7:30 pm)/ Jan 8 (2-3 pm)— Zoom Preparation Class (optional)
  • Jan 14/15— Class 1: Training Orientation
  • Jan 21/22— Class 2: Food Safety
  • Jan 28/29—  Class 3: Cold Storage & Being an MFP Pt.1
  • Local program dates— Lab 1: Site Orientation & Cold Storage
  • Feb 4/5— Class 4: High-Acid Canning
  • Feb 12— Completed Fingerprint Forms Submitted
  • Local program dates— Lab 2: High-Acid Canning
  • Feb 25/26— Class 5: Educating Our Community
  • Mar 11/12— Class 6: Pickling & Fermenting
  • Local program dates— Lab 3: Pickle/Ferment/Spreads
  • Mar 18/19— Class 7: Fruit Spreads
  • Local program dates— Lab 4: Fruit Spreads
  • Apr 8/9— Class 8: Low-Acid Canning
  • Local program dates— Lab 5: Low-Acid Canning
  • Apr 22/23— Class 9: Dehydration & Being an MFP Pt. 2
  • Local program dates—Lab 6: Dehydration
  • May 6/7— Class 10: Kitchen Pest Management
  • May 20/21— Class 11: Being an MFP Pt. 3
  • Jun 3/4— Class 12: Putting it all Together
  • Local program dates— Student Presentations & Certification Ceremony

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