UC Master Food Preserver Mission Statement
"To teach research-based practices of safe home food preservation to the residents of California."
Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Advice for the Public from the WHO - World Health Organization
When and How to Wash Your Hands from the CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Resources to Continue Fighting the Spread of COVID-19 excerpts from the University of Georgia Extension News published 5/1/20
Recommendations:
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds and sanitize frequently (using sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol) in between hand washings to prevent the spread of the virus to yourself and others.
Make the Recipe for Homemade Hand Sanitizer [referred to in the University of Georgia Extension YouTube video, Homemade hand sanitizers, grocery shopping and takeout food during COVID-19] - Clean and sanitize common areas or frequently touched items throughout your home or business.
Refer to the EPA for COVID-19 Disinfectants - Stay home. The most effective way to avoid contracting COVID-19, or unknowingly spreading it, is to avoid contact with other people.
Never leave home if you are sick, unless to seek medical attention. - Wear a mask in public. This reduces disease spread to healthy individuals, which is particularly important because many people can be infected by COVID-19 and spread the disease without experiencing any symptoms of illness.
[Follow the CDC's DIY Instructions for Sew and No Sew Cloth Face Coverings] - And finally, remember that your local Extension agents and specialists are still available as a resource to you during this time, even though most of us are working from home or making calls from our cell phones. We are all in this together.
[Use the MFPOC Helpline to contact Master Food Preservers of Orange County, CA]
Reliable Home Food Preservation Videos now Available on New Website excerpt from UCANR News & Events, 5/22/20
To make reliable home food preservation how-to videos easy to find, a team of UC Cooperative Extension professionals and volunteers reviewed and aggregated research-based food preservation videos produced by Cooperative Extension programs across the nation on one website – http://ucanr.edu/MFPvideolibrary.
[For future reference, this weblink has been added to our Resources dropdown list as UCANR MFP Video Library.]
Calendar of Events
| Event Name | Date |
|---|---|
| SAVE THE DATES! Virtual Avocado Festival and Education Academy | 6/22/2020 |
Preserve What's in Season
|
MFP Helpline
Ever wonder what questions other Food Preservers ask? Here are answers to commonly asked questions....
Have a question? Ask here.
Preserving the Season
| Date: | tbd |
| Time: |
3:00-5:00 OR 6:00-8:00 |
| Location: | South Coast Research & Extension Center 7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine 92618 |
| Cost: |
$ 25.00 |
As stewards of food safety information, we know the risks that are associated with food-borne illnesses. The spread of corona virus disease, COVID-19, is a new kind of challenge. The health and safety of UC Master Food Preserver volunteers, staff and our extended community is our number one priority. To the best of our knowledge, no volunteer with the UC Master Food Preserver Program has tested positive for the virus.
As of March 18, 2020, all counties with Master Food Preserver programs have been asked to postpone, reschedule or offer online options for events through May 31, 2020. This directive includes all volunteer-led youth or adult programming, meetings or gatherings.
Questions? Contact us at: uccemfp@ucdavis.edu
The University of California (UC) administers California's participation through its Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) division. Counties active in this statewide program do so with funding & support from their county's local UC Cooperative Extension (CE) office.
In Orange County, volunteers are trained at the South Coast Research and Extension Center (South Coast REC). We, UCCE Master Food Preservers of Orange County (MFPOC) are certified by the University of California to extend research-based knowledge about food safety and safe ways to preserve food. We volunteer our time to teach some hands-on classes and reach out to the greater community with demonstrations and information booths at various location through Orange County. Read more about us...
Would you like to become a Master Food Preserver for Orange County?
You must reside in Orange County, complete our training course and give back to our community by participating in MFPOC-scheduled events. Applications will be given only to individuals who attend one of our MFP Information Days, where you will learn about our program, the training and its cost.
UC ANR South Coast Research & Extension Center
7601 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618
Please note that this is a recent change and using directions on a mobile device will not alert you to these changes.