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Become a Master Food Preserver!

Master Food Preservers are trained and certified volunteers who assist OSU Extension Service in their efforts to provide up-to-date food safety and preservation information to Oregonians. After a comprehensive, hands-on training, volunteers serve as a local community resource providing food preservation information to community members.

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Latest Resources

Steam Canners - Using to Process High-Acid or Acidified Foods (SP50-1005)

Foods naturally high in acid — most fruits, pickles and salsas — can be processed in a steam canner. Steam canners require less water but processing time is limited. Here's how to use steam canners for high-acid foods.

Caryn Wheeler, Jared Hibbard-Swanson, Nellie Oehler | Apr 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Pickle Fact Sheet (SP 50-466)

The Pickle Fact Sheet provides what you need to know to pickle vegetables and fruits at home, from selecting the best produce to what type of salt, vinegar and spices to use, plus tips for processing and storing.

Nellie Oehler | Apr 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Safety of canned food that freezes

More than pipes can freeze during icy weather. Canned foods stored in unheated storage areas may also freeze. Whether they're still safe to eat will depend on the condition of the can or jar. Here's what to look for.

Nellie Oehler | Apr 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Canning Soup

Soups containing vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood can be canned. This article has tips for preserving these soups and meat stocks safely, what ingredients to avoid and a recipe for a chowder base!

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Photo Credit: Brent Hofacker - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Seasonal preservation

Fruit Pie Fillings for Home Canning

Imagine using home-canned fruits in pies, pastries, parfaits, cobblers, crisps, or even as a topping for pancakes. Recipes for home-canned fruits found here!

Lizann Powers-Hammond | Mar 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Drying and Roasting Seeds (SP 50-534)

Home cooks can make their own roasted sunflower, pumpkin and squash seeds by following a few simple steps — wash, dry and roast. And they'll keep for a long time if they are frozen or refrigerated.

Nellie Oehler | Mar 2013 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Filleting Tuna for Canning (SP 50-739)

The “raw pack” method for canning tuna at home does away with cooking the fish beforehand and delivers the unique flavor of tuna cooked in its own juices. Either fresh or frozen tuna can be used.

Nellie Oehler | Mar 2013 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Canning Tomatoes and Tomato Products

By Jeanne Brandt

This publication covers how to select equipment, prepare equipment and tomatoes, pack jars, add acid and salt, close jars, cool, test for a seal, store, and check jars for spoilage. Outlines steps for processing in pressure and boiling-water canners. Provides specific processing recommendations for seven different styles of home-canned tomatoes and five recipes for tomato and vegetable combinations.

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Photo Credit: lainen - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Latest News

Hybrid Master Food Preservation certification diversifies volunteer program

The 2023 Master Food Preserver certification course was offered in a hybrid format to improve accessibility of the course.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Mar 2024 | Impact story

New ‘Library of Things’ food preservation collections benefit Eastern Oregonians

Oregon State University Extension Service faculty in Harney and Wallowa counties partnered with the nonprofit organization Libraries of Eastern Oregon to launch two “Libraries of Things” in the summer of 2023 at libraries in Joseph and Burns.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson | Mar 2024 | Impact story

Value-added rental program targets food insecurity in the Columbia Gorge

The goal for the program was to increase access to free and affordable equipment for home cooks and food preservers, small businesses and small-scale commercial producers to “add value” to their raw market items.

Lauren Kraemer | Feb 2024 | Impact story

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Freezing Fruits and Vegetables

By Tonya Johnson and Jeanne Brandt

This publication describes how to freeze fruits, vegetables, and juices, and how to refreeze frozen foods. Includes freezing fruit without sugar, with ascorbic acid, in syrup, and packed in sugar; and blanching vegetables. A chart lists freezing instructions for dozens of fruits and vegetables.

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Photo Credit: Africa Studio - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

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Food security

Home food safety and storage

Nutrition and healthy eating

Recipes

Garden vegetables and herbs

Family emergency preparedness

Upcoming Events

Apr 20

Pickling Vegetables

9:00 am - 1:00 pm Oregon City, OR

Apr 20

Freezing and Freezer Meals

10:00 am - 2:00 pm Myrtle Point, OR

Apr 27

Freeze Drying 101- Lecture/Demo

10:00 am - 1:00 pm Central Point, OR

Apr 27

The Cookouts are Coming! Condiments

1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Camas Valley, OR

Meet Our Experts

Cindy Brown

4-H/FCH-SNAP Program Coordinator

Contact me for questions on 4-H youth development and healthy living programming in Sherman County as well as healthy living topics such as MyPlate, gardening, food preservation and food storage!

Samantha Clayburn

Master Gardener/Master Food Preserver Program Volunteer Coordinator

Contact for food preservation and gardening questions in Coos County.

Jared Hibbard-Swanson

Food Security and Safety Manager

Glenda Hyde

Associate Professor of Practice, Family and Community Health; OSU Extension Service Extension Disaster Education Network Delegate

Contact me with questions about food safety and preservation, managing stress and emergency/disaster preparedness

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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How can I avoid creating added sugar in fruit preserves and jams and jellies?

Q: Is there a way I can preserve fresh fruit and not have a syrup that adds additional sugar? Is there a way to make jam and jelly without added sugar?

A: View answer | View all featured questions

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