Master Food Preservers

Past Events

Virtual Food Preservation Workshops

Thursday, 11/12/20, 4-5pm: Holiday food gifts

Looking for tasty, easy DIY holiday gift ideas? Join San Mateo County Master Food Preservers for this fun and fast-paced “Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen” workshop. You’ll learn a variety of home food preservation techniques, and we’ll show you how to put them to use with some simple recipes that will make unique holiday gifts. You’ll get plenty of recipes and ideas for making your gifts beautiful as well as delicious!

If you attended this event, please fill out our post-event survey here!

Thursday, 10/8/20, 4-5pm: Pickling and Fermenting

A perfectly tart and crispy pickle – whether lacto-fermented or quick-pickled – is easier to make than you think! All it takes is a little patience and the help of some vinegar or friendly microbes. Join the UCCE Master Food Preservers to learn how – we’ll go over the art and science of pickling and fermenting vegetables at home.

Thursday, 9/10/20, 4-5pm: DIY Preserving Tomatoes and More!

Join our UC-certified Master Food Preservers for a one-hour workshop devoted to the tomato. Learn how to safely preserve your home-grown or farm-picked favorites through water-bath canning or pressure canning, dehydrating, and freezing. We will share information on varieties best suited to each process, tested recipes, and tips and tricks for making the process easier.

Special Events

Rethink Recycling Days!

Saturday, November 7, 1-2pm: Jams and food waste prevention

What do fruit preserves and climate change have in common? Come find out at Rethink Recycling Days! The UCCE Master Food Preservers will host a live online demo on how to make two delicious and unusual-- but easy!-- kinds of fall fruit spreads, and at the same time we'll equip you with tips to combat food waste. This event is free and open to everyone; no advance preparation is needed. However, you do need to register in advance.

Rethink Recycling Days is hosted by Rethink Waste, and will take place online on November 7 and November 14. All events are virtual. See the full schedule at their website.

If you attended this event, please fill out our post-event survey here!

The San Mateo County Fair - CANCELLED
6/13-6/21/20
Every year, the Master Food Preservers give a variety of food preservation demonstrations during the County Fair-- a new class every day, from salsa to ice cream! All demos are free with fair entry.

Hands on Workshops with our Partner Organizations

New Leaf Community Market, Half Moon Bay
Register in advance online (links below)
Saturday, 3/7/20, 10am-12pm: Fast, fresh refrigerator pickles
Sunday, 3/29/20, 10am-12pm: Sauerkraut fermentation - CANCELLED
Saturday, 4/11/20, 10am-12pm: Dehydration - CANCELLED

The Collective Roots Gardening Program, East Palo Alto
Contact Collective Roots to RSVP (details linked below)
3/7/20, 10am-12pm: Learn how to preserve your seasonal vegetable harvest by pickling!

Library Talks and Demos

Atherton library (Saturdays, 2-3pm) 2 Dinkelspiel Station Lane
5/23/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED
6/6/20: Dehydration - CANCELLED

Belmont library (Sundays, 2-3pm) 1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
4/5/20: Dehydration - CANCELLED
5/31/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED

Brisbane library (Saturdays, 11:30am-12:30pm) 250 Visitacion Ave.
5/9/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED
6/20/20: Jams and Jellies - CANCELLED
7/18/20: Dehydration - CANCELLED
8/15/20: Fermentation - CANCELLED

East Palo Alto library (Saturdays, 1-2pm) 2415 University Ave.
4/11/20: Jams and Jellies - CANCELLED
5/16/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED

Foster City library (Saturdays, 2-3pm) 1000 East Hillsdale Blvd.
5/30/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED

Half Moon Bay library (Saturdays, 11am-12pm) 620 Correas St.
5/23/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED

Millbrae library (Saturdays, 2-3pm) 1 Library Ave.
5/16/20: Fermentation - CANCELLED

Pacifica-Sanchez library (Fridays, 3-4pm) 1111 Terra Nova Blvd.
6/12/20: Jams and Jellies - CANCELLED
6/26/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED
7/10/20: Dehydration - CANCELLED

Portola Valley library (Tuesdays, 1-2pm) 765 Portola Rd.
3/17/20: Food Preservation Basics - CANCELLED
4/28/20: Fermentation - CANCELLED

Woodside library (Saturdays, 1-2pm) 3140 Woodside Rd.
5/2/20: Jams and Jellies - CANCELLED
6/6/20: Fermentation - CANCELLED