Food Preservation

Preserving Food Safely Can Save You $$

Whether preserving your garden harvest or purchasing locally grown fruits and vegetables, canning, freezing, and drying can effectively save foods for later and save you money. To ensure that the products you serve are safe, following tested guidelines for safely preserving foods by these methods is essential. Cooperative Extension offers information and hands-on, small-group training in various home food preservation topics.

• National Center for Home Food Preservation
• So Easy to Preserve, 6th Edition
• USDA Guide to Home Canning, 2015 Revision

Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program

We are offering the Master Food Preserver Workshop June 10-12, 2025 at CCE Chemung.  Stay tuned for more updates and registration!

Master Food Preservers are trained and certified volunteers who assist CCE Chemung in providing up-to-date food safety and preservation information to Chemung County residents. After comprehensive, hands-on training, volunteers serve as a local community resource, providing food preservation information to community members through community education and outreach. Types of volunteer service might include:

• Supporting food preservation workshops taught by Extension staff.
• Answering consumer questions about food safety on our hotline.
• Writing social media posts with our Extension staff.
• Providing demonstrations and/or Q&A sessions at the Niagara County Fair or community events.

To become a trained and certified Master Food Preserver Volunteer, complete the following steps.

1. Attend intensive hands-on training course.
2. After completing the course, complete and document 40 hours of food preservation experience.
3. Receive your Master Food Preserver Certificate.
4. Provide at least 20 hours of volunteer service per year with CCE Chemung to stay an active Master Food Preserver.

Last updated March 4, 2025