Health and Home

Home Food Preservation series offered to teach best practices for canning foods

MILL HALL -- Learn the basics of canning, the best practices for safely drying foods and how to preserve food at home during this information workshop!

The Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving event will explain the scientific principles behind modern home food preservation methods while dispelling common myths and outdated practices. Interest in home food preservation has grown in recent years, with canning, freezing and drying offering ways to enjoy seasonal foods year-round. While these methods have existed for centuries, recent research has provided new insights into the science of safe preservation.

The ​Home Food Preservation ​​series will provide you with the scientific background, preparation tips and safe processing methods to preserve food at home.

This program is available for anyone who is interested in learning the basics of food preservation.

Participants will learn a variety of practices including:

-- The basics of using a pressure canner based on current USDA canning guidelines for canning low acid foods such as vegetables and meat.

-- How a pressure canner works and canning safety.

-- The basics of using a water bath or atmospheric steam canner for canning high acid foods such as fruits, tomatoes, pickles, salsa, jam and jelly.

-- The latest canning recommendations based on USDA canning guidelines, including acidifying tomatoes and the use of salt and sugar.

-- Best practices for ensuring quality frozen food, such as deactivation of enzymes through blanching.

-- Best practices for drying foods safely and troubleshooting problems when drying foods.

Space is limited -- preregistration is required.

The following workshops are being offered in August:

-- Aug. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Clinton County Fairgrounds in the 4-H building. Free entry to the fair.

-- Aug. 13, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Penn State Extension Office located at 47 Cooperation Lane, Mill Hall, Pa.

The cost is $15 and interested individuals may register by visiting extension.psu.edu/introduction-to-preserving-workshop or call 877-345-0691.

Contact Laurie Welch at 570-726-0022 or send an email to law27@psu.edu for questions.