UCCE Master Food Preservers of San Joaquin County
"To teach research-based practices of safe home food preservation to the residents of California."
Past Preservation Notes Newsletters
Why Preserve Food?
Food spoilage refers to the deterioration of food, rendering it unsafe or unsuitable for human consumption. This degradation typically results from the proliferation of microorganisms within food items. Additionally, natural processes within fresh food tissues, such as enzymatic activity, contribute to quality losses, exemplified by excessive softening in overripe fruit.
Efficient food preservation methods play a pivotal role in mitigating spoilage and controlling quality deterioration in food. Food preservation, as a practice, involves maintaining the safety and nutritional integrity of food over an extended duration. This encompasses various techniques, including proper packaging for refrigeration, freezing, canning, and drying.
Key objectives of food preservation include:
Preventing Spoilage: The fundamental goal is to safeguard food from spoilage, especially when there is an abundance of produce that exceeds immediate consumption capabilities.
Year-Round Availability: Preservation methods enable the availability of a diverse range of foods throughout the year, breaking free from seasonal limitations and ensuring a constant and varied food supply.
Economic Considerations: Beyond the benefits of prolonged freshness, economic factors drive the practice of food preservation. Preserving fresh produce, whether from personal gardens, farms, or markets, becomes a means of saving money while aligning with individual preferences.
However, it's essential to recognize the multifaceted nature of the costs associated with home food preservation. These costs encompass not only the materials and equipment required but also factor in fresh produce, human energy, and the energy expended in processing and storing the preserved food. An understanding of these variables contributes to a comprehensive evaluation of the economic aspects of food preservation.
Preservation Notes
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2025 Master Food Preserver Certification Training
Love Preserving Food? Share Your Passion! Are you passionate about preserving food? Do you love the idea of teaching others how to do the same? If you've got a volunteer spirit and enjoy working with a community of like-minded enthusiasts, the UC Master...
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Apple Spice and Everything Nice: Preserving a Bountiful Harvest of Apples
As the crisp fall air settles in and the leaves begin their vibrant transformation, a nostalgic joy fills the heart and home. This season reminds me of warm kitchens filled with the comforting aroma of apples, cinnamon, and spices. This scent evokes...
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HELP DESK: Why Baking Cake in a Canning Jar is Not Safe: Understanding the Risks of Botulism
Question: Can you direct me to recipes for canning banana bread and carrot cake? I want to make these to give as gifts. Thank you. Response: Thank you for contacting us with your question about canning breads and cakes to give as gifts. Baking cakes or...
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Safeguard Your Holiday Feasts: Delicious Leftover Transformations and Food Safety Tips
The holiday season will soon be upon us, a time to gather with family and friends and share the bounty of the harvest. It's the perfect occasion to showcase and send home with your guests those jars of cranberry jelly and other homemade treats you...
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Packing Kid Friendly Lunches: A Guide to Preventing Foodborne Illness
As the new school year begins, packing a nutritious and safe lunch for your child is a top priority. While it's essential to provide balanced meals that fuel their day, it's equally crucial to ensure that these meals are free from foodborne pathogens....
Calendar
Event Name | Date |
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Gifts from the Kitchen | 10/19/2024 |
Making Chutney | 11/16/2024 |
UC Food Blog
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UC ANR project to help underserved farmers in SoCal with land ownership
San Diego County has more than 5,000 small farms but less than 2% are operated or owned by Black, indigenous, or people of color – including those of Asian, Hispanic or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander descent, according to the 2022 Ag...
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Butte County first graders enjoy ‘ricetastic’ day at local farm
UC Cooperative Extension advisors, educators join growers in showcasing rice production When Tracy Schohr volunteered in her son's pre-K class a couple years ago, she was stunned to find out that only two of the 20 children had ever been around a...
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UC ANR publishes first-ever manual on olive production for oil
Growers, UC Cooperative Extension researchers offer guidance on producing high-quality olives Facing a deluge of lower-price products from Europe, the California olive oil industry is doubling down on its clear-cut competitive edge: the consistent and...