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UC Master Food Preserver

UC Master Food Preserver Newsletter

In November of 2024, the UC Master Food Preserver Program launched a monthly newsletter that delivers recipes, how-tos, and food preservation inspiration straight to a subscriber's inbox. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Do you have a correction, suggestion, or story to share with the newsletter team? Share corrections, suggestions, or stories here.

Past Newsletter Full Emails

2026

2025

2024

Monthly Articles To-date

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

The Genius of Fruitcake: A 2,000-Year-Old Food Preservation Hack (December 2025)

December 9, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Paige Weisskirch, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Dried fruit bread (Photo caption: Paige Weisskirch, used with permission). Every November, I open my pantry and face the same situation: half-empty bags of dried apricots from the previous year’s baking; figs I…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Understanding pH and Why it's Important in Food Preservation (November 2025)

October 31, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Earl Weak, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer In simple terms, pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) a solution is. A pH below 7 indicates an acid solution A pH above 7 indicates an alkaline (basic) solution pH 7 is considered neutral In the context of food…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

All About Apples: Which are Best for Your Recipe? (November 2025)

October 31, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Tim Long, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Red Delicious apples at the market (Photo caption: Tim Long, used with permission). If you’re looking for a native apple tree, you’ll to be disappointed. Apples, other than three varieties of crabapples, aren’t native to the Americas…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Applications Now Open for 2026 UC Master Food Preserver Training Program! (November 2025)

October 31, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Henry Shaw, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Your Name Here MFP Badge (Photo caption: Henry Shaw, used with permission). Do you want to learn more about safe food-preservation techniques? Do you have a passion for sharing your knowledge with others? Are you willing to donate your…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Pasting and Saucing Chile Peppers: Exploring Flavors from New Mexico to Peru (November 2025)

October 31, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Robyn Barker, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer If you have a sunny spot in your garden or on your patio, chili peppers are fun and easy to grow. The plants don’t get too large; they can even be grown in a container. They are relatively disease and pest free. With limited space and…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Spotlight: Mary Nazara, Class of 2025 MFP Volunteer (November 2025)

October 31, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Mary Nazara, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program VolunteerCounty of residence: Los Angeles Mary Nazara, used with permission. I started preserving in the summer of 2022 after a phone call from my sister. She had a tree full of ripe plums and didn’t want them to go to waste. I already had…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Spotlight: Henry Shaw, Class of 2024 MFP Volunteer (October 2025)

October 5, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Henry Shaw UC Master Food Preserver Online Program VolunteerCounty of residence: Contra Costa Image credit: Henry Shaw, 2025. My love of food and cooking began as a small child at my mother’s side in the kitchen. Over the decades, both my culinary interests and kitchen skills have grown…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Pear-fection: Apple-Pear-Cranberry Pie Filling (October 2025)

October 5, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Kirsten Hansen, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Jar of pie filling on a marble countertop (Photo by Penny Pearson, used with permission). October is peak apple and pear season across much of California. This tasty Apple-Pear-Cranberry pie filling makes the most of the season…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

Applications Now Open for 2026 UC Master Food Preserver Training Program! (October 2025)

October 5, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Henry Shaw, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Image Credit: Henry Shaw, 2025. Do you want to learn more about safe food-preservation techniques? Do you have a passion for sharing your knowledge with others? Are you willing to donate your time as a volunteer for a good cause?…

UC Master Food Preserver: Article

A Delicious Barbeque Sauce from Tomato Powder (September 2025)

August 30, 2025

By Travis R Alexander

Monica Gross, UC Master Food Preserver Online Program Volunteer Image Credit: Monica Gross, 2025. Can you imagine an activity that allows you to experience all of your five senses? Cooking and preparing food are just such activities! Allow me to walk you through an experience that involved…