Penn State Extension to offer a free introduction to home food preservation

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension will offer the free webinar, “Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving,” from noon to 1 p.m. April 24, online.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in home food preservation. Canning, freezing and drying are preservation methods that enable people to enjoy seasonal foods all year. While these home food preservation methods have existed for centuries, much has been learned in the last few years about the science behind these methods.

This one-hour webinar will provide participants with the fundamentals of home food preservation. Instructors will explain the scientific reasoning behind today’s recommended methods for home food preservation while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past.

Attendees will learn:

• The basics of using a pressure canner based on current U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 de-activation of enzymes through blanching.
• Best practices for drying foods safely and troubleshooting problems when drying foods.

This webinar is free. For more information and to register for this webinar, visit the Penn State Extension website at or call 877-345-0691.

Interested in learning more?

Interested in learning more about other home food preservation topics? More information about upcoming webinars is available on the Penn State Extension website or by calling 877-345-0691.

Several fact sheets about home food preservation also are available on the Penn State Extension website. These fact sheets are also available in Spanish.

“Preserving Food at Home Resource Guide,” a compilation of fact sheets; research-based guidelines for safely canning, freezing and drying food at home; and nutrition and storage information, also is available from Penn State Extension.