Orange County

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

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

Make a Gift UCCE Orange County Master Food Preserver Fund

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 to keep your food safe.

Preserve What's in Season

Read Why We Preserve Food, then click on an image to read about the pictured item or check out other food preservation resources.

MFP Helpline

Ever wonder what questions other Food Preservers ask?

Click for answers to 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.

Volunteer Training in 2021

Would you like to volunteer with the UC Master Food Preservers of Orange County and give back to the community by participating in MFPOC-scheduled events? We are training new volunteers in a combination online/in-person group training this year. Online training will be most Fridays 2-4pm, March 5 - August 13, 2021. Hands-on labs will be scheduled when in-person activities resume. The training cost, including books and lab materials is $225. Additional cost for live-scan fingerprinting.

Who is Eligible: Orange County residents who are comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online; class commuinication is via email.

The Process:
Step 1 - Reserve a spot and attend an hour-long online information session where you'll learn about the purpose of the UC Master Food Preserver Program, volunteer involvement and requirements, the training program dates and activities, and the application process. Please RSVP online at http://ucanr.edu/2021-mfp-training-mtg to attend one of these training information meetings or to receive a link to a recorded meeting:

Friday, January 22: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm
Friday, February 5: 12:00 Noon—1:00 pm

Attendance or viewing of the information meeting is mandatory!
Step 2 - Participate in video Interview; Submit online Application.
Step 3 - Applicants notified if they have been accepted for training.

Calendar of Events

Event Name	Date
MFPOC 2021 Info Day	1/22/2021
MFPOC 2021 Info Day	2/5/2021

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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 have been 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)" updated 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

Get Directions

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.