Orange County

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

Have a Happy food-safe Holiday Season!

Let's Talk Turkey

Seasonal

Gatherings

For questions about meat, poultry, or egg products,
call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline
toll free at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854)

Calendar of Events

Event Name	Date
Public Class: Gifts from the Kitchen- Session 1	12/6/2022
Public Class: Gifts from the Kitchen- Session 2	12/6/2022
Centennial Farms Public Class/Workshop: Make It- Take It – Gifts from the Kitchen–Food Preservation	12/10/2022
Workshop at OC Great Park - Food Preservation	12/10/2022
Dehydration Tie Dye Fruit Leather Demonstration	1/28/2023
How to Use and Preserve Vegetables- Bilingual Presentation	1/30/2023
Dehydration: Safe Homemade Jerky	2/6/2023
Pickling Demonstration	2/24/2023

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

Make a Gift UCCE Orange County Master Food Preserver Fund

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/Time:
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 3:00-5:00 pm
OR
Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 6:00-8:00 pm

(2 identical classes)

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

Cost: $35

Class Registration

We’re baaack! With the holiday season just around the corner, the UCCE Master Food Preservers of Orange County are back with their popular Gifts from the Kitchen class! Please join us on Tuesday, December 6^th when we will be sharing some great ideas for the holidays. Do you want to step up your home bartending skills? This year you will create two easy-to-make, delicious infusion kits that, once taken home, can be infused with your favorite spirit, or favorite tea or fruit juice*. These infusion kits are made with dehydrated fruits and spices and are the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys an innovative cocktail or mocktail. Then we’ll create home-made spice mixes - a perfect hostess gift to have ready to go for the holidays. You will have six spice mixes to choose from, and each person will take home their choice of three. We will also make a drinking Shrub which is an infused mixture of vinegar, sugar and fruit that can be added to sparkling water, water or cocktails*. Finally, we will share a fun craft idea for you to do at home.

*Spirits, tea, sparkling water or fruit juice not included

There will be 2 identical workshops offered. Each class is limited to the first 24 registrants. Register and pay online by December 4, 2022 and bring a printed or digital copy of your confirmation proof-of-payment email to class. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. If you have long hair, please pull it back. Bring your apron from home...loaner aprons are available. All ingredients and kitchen tools will be provided at the class.

If you have any questions, please write us at: uccemfp@ucdavis.edu or contact us through our website at: http://ucanr.edu/sites/MFPOC/Got_A_Question/.

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