Become a UC Master Food Preserver | Master Food Preservers of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

The UC Master Food Preserver Program of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties is open to individuals looking to increase community knowledge in home food preservation methods. Applicants for the UC Master Food Preserver Program must be willing to share knowledge and skills learned from certification training through local community outreach. Prior food preservation knowledge is not a requirement; willingness to teach others is.

Examples of community outreach from UC Master Food Preservers

How UC Master Food Preservers make a difference

Teach safe and food preservation methods in local communities
Share knowledge about preserving fresh and healthy produce
Prevent botulism in home canning
Promote research-based methods of food handling and food preparation

Volunteer Training

UC Master Food Preserver volunteers receive an intensive 50-hour training program in home food preservation. Instruction provides practical courses in the following topics:

Classes meet several times a month, with multiple hands-on labs to learn the food preservation techniques, with outside study in addition to class time. Quizzes, special projects and a final examination prepares the trainees to begin their first year of volunteer service.

Application Process

Who Can Apply

Priority given to San Mateo and San Francisco County residents. Residents of other counties will be considered only with the approval of the coordinator and County Director. Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online using Google Classroom; class communication is via email.

How to Apply

Attend an online informational meeting to learn about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. Attendance or viewing the recording of the information meeting is a mandatory prerequisite to apply. Three live Q&A sessions are available to address any questions you have about the new volunteer training program.

Thursday, September 10, 2026: 6:30–7:30 pm
Information meeting registration
Thursday, October 8, 2026: 6:30-7:30 pm
Q&A session, please watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting
Friday, October 23, 2026: 2:00–3:00 pm
Q&A session, please watch the recorded training information meeting prior to meeting

Complete and submit the online application by the end of Sunday, November 8, 2026. Interviews will be conducted during November and December.

Next Steps

Applicants will be contacted for an online interview in November.
If accepted in the training program, submit the registration fee in December 2026. The training fee for the San Mateo/San Francisco MFP program has not been finalized yet, but we anticipate that it will be $500. Scholarships due to financial hardship may be available, please contact the program coordinator, Michele Maia, mymaia@ucanr.edu for more details.
Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process.

Program Expectations

Trainees will be expected to attend online classes on either Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 pm or Fridays, 2-3 pm
Attendance at all 9 in-person trainings is required--please see dates below.
Once training is complete, new Master Food Preserver volunteers are expected to contribute 50 volunteer hours to various events and MFP activities. After the first year, Master Food Preserver volunteers are expected to complete 25 volunteer hours and 12 continuing education hours annually to remain active in the program.

2027 Class Schedule

In-person sessions are italicized

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 23: Lab: Orientation
Jan 28/29— Class 3: Cold Storage & Being an MFP Pt.1
Jan 30— Lab: Cold Storage
Feb 4/5— Class 4: High-Acid Canning
Feb 6—Lab: High-Acid Canning
Feb 12— Completed Fingerprint Forms Submitted
Feb 25/26— Class 5: Educating Our Community
Mar 11/12— Class 6: Pickling & Fermenting
Mar 13— Lab: Pickling and Fermentation
Mar 18/19— Class 7: Fruit Spreads
Mar 20— Lab: Fruit Spreads
Apr 8/9— Class 8: Low-Acid Canning
Apr 17— Lab: Low-Acid Canning
Apr 22/23— Class 9: Dehydration & Being an MFP Pt. 2
Apr 24—Lab: Dehydration
May 6/7— Class 10: Kitchen Pest Management
May 15—Lab: Being an MFP/Presentation practice
May 20/21— Class 11: Being an MFP Pt. 3
Jun 3/4— Class 12: Putting it all Together
Jun 5— Student Presentations & Graduation Ceremony

If you have any questions about becoming a UC Master Food Preserver, please contact the program coordinator, Michele Maia, mymaia@ucanr.edu

For residents in another county, please see the Find a UC Master Food Preserver Program website to find your nearest program.

The University of California Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) is an equal opportunity provider.