Next Training Class Will Be Forming Fall 2026

Are you interested in learning food preservation skills and becoming a UC Master Food Preserver? The purpose of the certification course is to train volunteers in the knowledge and skills of research-based practices so they can teach safe home food preservation to the residents of Solano and Yolo Counties. Prior food preservation knowledge is not a requirement; willingness to teach others is.

Examples of  UC Master Food Preservers roles:  

• Leading classes, workshops, and  hands-on demonstrations
• Participating in county fair and farmers' market booths
• Creating and managing webpages, social media, newsletters, and printed materials

How UC Master Food Preservers make a difference:

• Increasing food safety, handling, and preparation knowledge in our communities
• Ensuring accurate, validated information is shared along with the science behind preservation methods
• Keeping communities healthy by sharing knowledge
• Reducing food waste and being efficient with our resources

Training Course

Interested individuals will apply, interview, and pay program fees before starting the training course to become a certified volunteer of the University of California. The course offers students more than 50 hours of vital training over the course of 12 weeks. Training is comprised of online classes as well as hands-on labs derived from government and extension research. 

Training topics include:

After completing the training, new UC Master Food Preservers of Solano and Yolo Counties are required to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours in the first year and 25 hours plus 12 hours of continuing education in each subsequent year.

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 training program in home food preservation. Instruction provides practical courses in the following topics

• Food Safety
• Boiling water & atmospheric steam canning
• Pressure canning
• Canning jams & jellies
• Pickling and fermenting
• Dehydrating fruits & vegetables
• Freezing foods

The training program consists of a combination of online lectures and hands-on labs to learn food preservation techniques, with outside study in addition to class time. Quizzes, special projects, and a final examination prepare trainees to begin their first year of volunteer service.