UC Master Food Preserver Program of Orange County

UC Master Food Preserver Mission Statement
"To teach research-based practices of safe home food preservation to the residents of California."

Get ready for the holidays and entertaining.
Visit our page about Food Safety when Entertaining.

Make a Gift UCCE Orange County Master Food Preserver Fund

Calendar of Events

Event Name	Date
San Clemente Library: Cranberries!	11/18/2024
One Seed Community Garden: Gifts from the Garden	11/30/2024
Preserving Persimmons II: Pickles- Jams- and Drying - Online	12/5/2024
Public Class: Gifts from the Kitchen: Packaged Comfort Foods	12/7/2024
Food and Farm Lab	12/7/2024
Public Class: Gifts from the Kitchen: Packaged Comfort Foods	12/10/2024
Food Preservation Basics: Freezing & Dehydrating - Online	1/9/2025

Preserve What's in Season

Click on an image below to read about the pictured seasonally fresh fruit or vegetable. Check out food preservation resources to find additional information about preserving these and other foods safely at home. Read Why We Preserve Food.

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.

For potential botulism in food, contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers:
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.

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

who can perform the necessary annual accuracy test of a dial gauge pressure canner and what Presto offers to convert a Presto dial gauge pressure canner into a weighted gauge pressure canner (which does not require an annual testing).

Have another question? Ask here.

Master Food Preservers of Orange County Present:
Gifts from the Kitchen

Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024 9:30 - 12:00 pm
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 2:30 - 5:00 pm
(2 identical sessions)

Location:
South Coast Research & Extension Center
7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine CA 92618
Website: https://screc.ucanr.edu/

Cost: $45

Registration is open!

Hello to all of our friends out there in the OC! The holiday season is right around the corner, and the UC Master Food Preservers of Orange County are back with their popular Gifts from the Kitchen. This class will focus on Comfort Food! There is no cooking required.

Please join us on Saturday, December 7th or Tuesday, December 10th to learn how to make four different comfort foods that can be quickly and easily prepared to make special gifts, or even used to simplify your own meal prep during the busy holiday season.

Turkey Rub Spice Mix: A classic mix of herbs and spices that could be used on any poultry dish.

Dessert Mix: A delightful pudding mix that can be easily prepared and served.

Winter Soup Mix: This mix is added to broth, cream, and an optional dry white wine to warm you up on a cold, chilly day.

Hot Chocolate Mix: What is winter without hot chocolate? This mix added to boiling water may save your day!

Who wouldn’t love to receive one of these jars as a hostess gift? Come and hang out with your friends, lean something new and join our group of fun Master Food Preservers!

There will be 2 identical workshops offered. Each class is limited to the first 24 registrants.

Register and pay online by December 5, 2024 and bring a printed or digital copy of your confirmation proof-of-payment email to class

Closed-toe shoes are required. If you have long hair, please tie it back for this class. Please bring an apron from home. If you cannot bring an apron, please select the $5 cleaning fee for a loaner apron. All ingredients and kitchen tools will be provided at the class.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds two weeks prior to workshop, as materials will have been purchased.

Questions? Email us at: uccemfp@ucdavis.edu

Directions to the location are shown on the home page of this website: https://ucanr.edu/sites/MFPOC/ and below.

The city of Irvine has removed the left turn pocket in front of the property so if you are coming from the west you must drive to the light at Modjeska and make a U-turn. On your right, you will see chain link fence, then a block wall fence. The entrance is just at the end of the block wall – see photo.

Please note that this is a recent change and using directions on a mobile device will not alert you to these changes.

UC ANR South Coast Research & Extension Center
7601 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92618

Get Directions