Professor of Food Safety Systems , Statewide Specialist for Home Food Safety and Preservation Program

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Expertise: Commercial food processing , Farm food safety , Home food preservation

Department/Unit: Food Science and Technology

Content
Publications
Awards

Content by Joy Waite-Cusic

Oregon’s Cottage Food Exemption

Get answers to answers frequently asked questions about Oregon's Cottage Food Exemption for home bakers, chefs and local food producers.

Lauren Gwin, Joy Waite-Cusic | Mar 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog

Is it safe to can kosher or halal meat at home?

P: I’ve heard that cured, corned or brined meats aren’t recommended for pressure canning. Because kosher meat is salted and washed to remove blood, does that make it unsafe to can at home? Does the same apply to halal meat?

R: View answer | View all featured questions

Procuring and processing maple and walnut syrup in compliance with Oregon’s Farm Direct Marketing Law

Oregon law allows farmers to turn maple and walnut sap collected on their property into syrup and sell the finished product. Learn how to collect sap, process it into syrup and bottle a true taste of Oregon.

Joy Waite-Cusic, Eric T. Jones, Kelly Streit, Peter Matzka | Sep 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog

Making cured bacon at home

Follow this guide to cure delicious bacon safely at home. Get step-by-step instructions, brine recipes and health and safety tips.

Joy Waite-Cusic, Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Aug 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog

Oregon State University Extension Service

Play it safe when preserving elderberries

Nellie Oehler, Joy Waite-Cusic and Jared Hibbard-Swanson

Branch with green leaves and long cluster of many light blue berries

EM 9446

Elderberries are toxic when consumed raw. But you can cook them into jams and other treats. Learn how to process elderberries.

Elderberries are popular shrubs that bear clusters of berries. Several varieties of elderberry are edible if cooked. But because all varieties of raw elderberries are toxic, you must cook them before consuming the berries. Here’s what to know about elderberries and how to safely process and preserve them. There are four major types of elderberries. Preservation instructions vary by type of elderberry, depending on the acid content of the fruit.

Many people enjoy the taste of elderberries, but beware — all varieties of elderberries are toxic. You need to cook them before you eat them. Learn how to safely process elderberries into delicious, nutritious treats.

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