UC Master Food Preserver Mission Statement
"To teach research-based practices of safe home food preservation to the residents of California."
Learn Safely at Home
Read the newly revised Food Safety page to get tips to keep your family safe from foodborne illness. Visit related web pages for in-depth details.
Calendar of Events
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Be Food Safe
Follow safe food practices to avoid foodborne illnesses. Be mindful of ways you can incorporate the 4 easy steps to Everyday Food Safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, Cool. When preserving food, follow USDA guidelines and where applicable, scientifically tested recipes.
Prepare in advance for emergencies. Save this Poison Control Center information some place you can find quickly, if needed.
1-800-222-1222 //www.aapcc.org/
Knowledge is power. Learn in advance about Emergencies and Food Safety, like how to reduce your risk of food poisoning or what to do before, during and after a power outage (whether caused by an accident or disaster, or scheduled by your utility company) to keep your food safe.
Preserve What's in Season
- The UCCE Master Food Preserver Program is part of a countrywide effort by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to raise public awareness and promote safe food practices at home.
- 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 and support from their county's local UC Cooperative Extension (CE) office.
- 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 at home. We volunteer our time to teach 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...
Contact the Master Food Preservers of Orange County for our online services:
* Got a Question? (Helpline)
* Request a Speaker
* Sign up for Email
MFP Helpline
Ever wonder what questions other Food Preservers ask?
Click for answers to some commonly asked questions.... including 
Have another question? Ask here.
Preserving the Season (Classes Suspended)
In pre-pandemic days, this space was reserved for and dedicated to hands-on classes, where the public joined Master Food Preservers of Orange County in "Preserving the Season" at the South Coast Research and Extension Center.
In cooperation with COVID-19 precautions issued by the state of California, all UC Master Food Preserver in-person events were suspended since March, 2020 and will remain so until University of California guidelines allow us back on site.
We are still here and available to answer questions online.
Contact us at uccemfp@ucdavis.edu
Stay safe! Stay healthy!
Excerpt from the CDC "Food and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)", Dec. 31, 2020
What you need to know:
- The risk of getting sick with COVID-19 from eating or handling food (including frozen food and produce) and food packages is considered very low.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that handling food or consuming food is associated with COVID-19. - Take everyday actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Continue following basic steps for food safety and eat nutritious foods to take care of your physical and mental health.
Go to the CDC web page for articles on Risks from food or packaging, Handling packaged food and produce, and more.
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.