Become a UC Master Food Preserver
2021 UC Master Food Preserver Training
Applications for the 2021 UC Master Food Preserver Training class are now closed. Thank you for your interest in the program and please check back for future opportunities to apply to the program.
Program Benefits
- Contribute to your community. Every year UC Master Food Preserver volunteers contribute several thousand hours of educational service helping keep our community safe and healthy.
- Enjoy working together with a great group of food enthusiasts.
- Gain excellent knowledge about preserving fresh produce.
Volunteer Training
UC Master Food Preserver volunteers receive an intensive six month training program in home food preservation. Instruction provides practical courses in the following topics
- Food Safety
- Boiling water and atmospheric steam canning
- Pressure canning
- Canning jams & jellies
- Pickling and fermenting
- Dehydrating fruits and vegetables
- Freezing foods
Classes meet virtually several times a month, with multiple hands-on labs (Phase 2 of the training class) 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.