Training details
Lectures and demos: Online via Zoom.
In-person hands-on labs: 4145 Branch Center Road, Sacramento, CA 95827
Training Fee: $350
Course Schedule - At a Glance (PDF)
Important dates
| 2024 | |
| Oct 4, 25, Nov 14 | Training info meetings |
| Oct 4 | Application available |
| Nov 25 | Applications due |
| Dec 5 | Interviews begin |
| Dec 15 | Payment due |
| 2025 | Bold dates below indicate in-person events |
| Jan 15, 7p | Pre-class: Zoom prep (optional) |
| Jan 16/17 | Training Orientation |
| Jan 23/24 | Food Safety |
| Jan 26 | Orientation/ Knife Skills - 1-4:30 PM |
| Jan 30/31 | Cold Storage, Be an MFP #1 |
| Feb 2 | Cold Storage Lab - 1-4:30 PM |
| TBD | Fingerprint forms due |
| Feb 13/14 | High Acid Canning |
| Feb 15 | High Acid Canning Lab - 10 AM-4:30 PM |
| Feb 27/28 | Pickling, Fermenting |
| Mar 1 | Pickling, Fermenting Lab - 10 AM-4:30 PM |
| Mar 13/14 | Fruit Spreads |
| Mar 15 | Fruit Spreads Lab - 10 AM-4:30 PM |
| Apr 3/4 | Low Acid Canning |
| Apr 5 | Low Acid Canning Lab - 10 AM-4:30 PM |
| Apr 24/25 | Dehydration, Be an MFP #2 |
| Apr 26 | Dehydration Lab, 10 AM - 4:30 PM |
| May 8/9 | Kitchen Pest Mgmt |
| May 17 | Student presentations - 10 AM-4:30 PM |
| May 22/23 | Emergency Prep, Be an MFP #3 |
| May 29/30 | Be an MFP #4, Wrap Up |
Who Can Apply
- Priority given to Sacramento county residents. If space allows, neighboring county residents may be accepted.
- Applicants must be comfortable using a computer and accessing the internet. Class lessons, quizzes and homework are online using Google Classroom; class communication is via email.
How to Apply
Attend (or view a recording) a training information meeting to learn more about the volunteer requirements as well as the selection and training process. The meeting lasts one hour and will be recorded. Attendance or viewing of the information meeting recording is a mandatory pre-requisite to apply.
What We’ll Do
- Review applicants. Main criteria for acceptance: 1) prior community service, 2) experience teaching, either by giving presentations, writing, or in one-on-one situations, 3) experience/interest in home food preservation.
- Request a DOJ Clearance, including fingerprinting.
- Teach you how to preserve food successfully using scientifically researched home processes.
- Teach you how to educate our community about safe home food preservation.
- Provide you with plenty of fun volunteer and continuing education opportunities.
What You’ll Do If Accepted
- Pay the $350.00 course fee.
- Choose a track and attend the Zoom classes as well as the in-person labs. The tracks for Zoom classes are Thursdays, 6:30-8:30 PM or Fridays 2-4 PM. Labs are held in person on Saturdays or Sundays. See the dates for Zoom classes and in person labs in the list on the right. Only one class may be missed and must be completed outside of normal class time with a mentor.
- Complete the Live Scan fingerprinting process.
- Attend at least one public class hosted by a UC Master Food Preserver Program; either in person or online, by date TBD, as part of your training program. See our calendar for these classes.
- Attend monthly program business meetings on the second Thursday of the month via Zoom at 6:30 PM as often as possible.
- Complete 50 volunteer hours your first full program year, then 25 volunteer and 12 continuing education hours each year thereafter.
- Pass an annual food safety reappointment quiz.
- Have fun!
Preserve today, relish tomorrow!