Extension leading class on basics of food preserving at home

Provided photos: Master Food Preserver volunteer Karen DesJardin has taught the Intro to Canning class for the last two years. This year, she’ll be joined by fellow MFP volunteer Amy Payne.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

ALBION –  The Master Food Preservers of Orleans County CCE will be offering their popular “Intro to Canning And Review” class again this year on Wednesday, April 26, at 6 p.m.

Karen Desjardin and Amy Payne. MFP volunteers, will lead participants step-by-step through the basics of preserving food at home. They will show basic equipment needed to get started, as well as offer tried and true tips and tricks to ensure success.

“There seems to be a real interest in getting back to basics, growing and preserving food at home to help keep within food budgets,” Desjardin said. “I think it’s important to offer this class at no charge so that it’s accessible to everyone in our community. Preserving food using tested methods is important for the health and safety of our families. We will show participants where to find research-tested information and recipes so they can have confidence in preserving their own food at home.”

This is the third year that the Master Food Preserver volunteers have offered this Intro to Canning class. Each year the class fills up with new participants, showing the demand and need for this kind of education in Orleans County.

The class will be taught demonstration-style, with experienced volunteers explaining the processes of various methods of home food preservation. The goal is to equip participants with the knowledge to get started preserving at home.

Participants can bring their dial gauge pressure canner lids with them to the class to be tested for free.

Kristina Kleeh, an Orleans County resident who took the class last year, used the knowledge she gained to spend the entire summer canning various produce.

“I was a true beginner, but the information was presented in a positive and easy to understand way, and the instructor had a depth of experience to draw from,” Kleeh explained. “I was able to make great use of my garden last summer, and we’ve been enjoying beginner-level canned treats like dill pickles, salsa, sauce, and jams all year long now!”

In addition to a detailed description of the various methods of preserving foods at home, the MFP volunteers will have different canners and tools available on display for participants look at and ask specific questions about.  There will also be an option for any participant to have their pressure canner tested for free during the class. Anyone attending the free informational class can bring their dial gauge pressure canner lid with them to have its accuracy verified.

“This class is really just a great jumpstart to the canning season,” said Katie Oakes, coordinator of the Master Food Preserver volunteers. “The class highlights the most important information for home food preservers, whether participants have no experience at all or have been canning for years, but maybe not with current methods and recipes. We are so lucky to have such experienced and highly trained volunteers available to offer these types of classes to the public.”

To register for the free Intro to Canning class or for more information about the Master Food Preserver program, call 585-798-4265 or email klo54@cornell.edu.

A variety of the canned goods preserved by Master Food Preservers in the past. Home food preservation is a great way to extend an abundant harvest and ensure food security beyond the growing season.