Become a Master Food Preserver This Spring

The ability to not only teach but also live by safe home food preservation methods is essential to a healthy lifestyle. The University of California Cooperative Extension’s (UCCE) program is for those individuals who are in hopes of increasing the overall knowledge of home food preservation methods and have the willingness to share their skills through community outreach. “The Master Food Preserver (MFP) program is a public service community outreach providing up-to-date information on food safety and preservation,” according UCCE’s website. “A Master Food Preserver is a volunteer who is formally educated in food preservation/food safety and is certified by a university cooperative extension. Volunteers are qualified to teach food preservation and food safety in addition to disseminating that information via lectures, talks and other county events.” The opportunity to become a Master Food Preserver is here. The UCCE San Bernardino County Master Food Preserver (MFP) program is offering a spring class to the public that will run from Jan. 25, 2016 until April 18, 2016. The class will meet in the Demonstration Kitchen located inside the San Bernardino County General Services Agency building every Monday night at 6 p.m. and the class will be in session until 9:30 p.m. The building is located at 777 East Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino. The class is $156, which already includes the insurance fee. Aside from that, this hands-on class will provide thorough training of food preservation practices that you could do within your own home, including: food safety, making jam and jellies, canning fruit, meats and vegetables, pickling, fermenting, dehydrating/drying, and freezing. The class will also include assessments like written quizzes and demonstrations. During this session, you are only allowed to have one absence and you must make it up. However, it is essential that you attend the very first class since it covers Food Safety. If for some reason you cannot make the first class, you cannot continue with the course. In order to apply for the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Training Program, visit http://ucanr.edu/sites/sbmfp/Become_a_Master_Food_Preserver/, in order to fill out the application. After printing and filling out the application form, it must be mailed to 777 East Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, 92415-0730. Applications should be received no later than Oct. 15, 2015. Help make a difference by teaching, promoting, and sharing useful knowledge about preserving methods, the preservation of fresh produce throughout local communities, and more. If becoming a Master Food Preserver is something you are interested in, don't wait to send in your applications because spaces are limited. The first 16 qualified applicants will be chosen for the course. For any further information regarding the class, please contact Pat Malone at 951-733-0821. [END] -------------------------important info---------------------------- Thank you for your interest in the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) San Bernardino County Master Food Preserver (MFP) program. This application is for the Spring 2016 class, which starts on Monday, January 26, 2016, and meets every Monday through April 18, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is imperative that you attend the first class covering Food Safety. If you do not, you cannot continue with the program. Classes will be held in the Demonstration Kitchen located inside the San Bernardino County General Services Agency (GSA) building, 777 East Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, CA. The GSA building is located on the south side of Rialto Avenue, between Waterman Avenue and Tippecanoe Avenue and Mill Street and Second Street. The non-refundable fee for this course is $156.00 which includes the course book(s) and material(s) used in class and insurance fee. Interested applicants should complete the attached MASTER FOOD PRESERVER (MFP) PROGRAM VOLUNTEER APPLICATION. The completed application should be mailed to Cooperative Extension, Master Food Preservers, 777 E. Rialto Ave., San Bernardino, Ca. 92415-0730 and received no later than October 15, 2015. Once received, an interview will be setup with a veteran Master Food Preserver as part of the selection process. You will be notified no later than Space is limited, and the first 16 qualified applicants will be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Malone at 951-733-0821 or email tlparsons@ucdavis.ed ------------------------application-------------------------------- I wish to be considered for acceptance into the University of California Master Food Preserver volunteer training program offered by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE). The training offers classroom instruction on preserving food safely at home. Topics covered include food safety; making jams and jellies; canning fruit, meats and vegetables; pickling; fermenting; dehydrating/drying; and freezing. All classes will be hands on. 1. I agree to attend weekly classes from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., starting January 25, 2016, and ending April 18, 2016. 1.I understand that only 1 class can be missed and it must be made up. The Food Safety class cannot be missed and cannot be made up. 2.I understand that the first year after graduation, 50 volunteer hours will be required. You can begin earning these hours February 2016 thru June 2017. Thereafter, I will continue to volunteer a minimum of twenty-five (25) hours annually (July thru June) in an effort to extend the UCCE Master Food Preserver’s educational programs and activities in the area of safe home food preservation. 3.I will recommend and follow the food preservation procedures approved by the University of California Cooperative Extension when answering questions from the public. 4.I will participate in presenting or assisting with a minimum of 2 Master Food Preserver public class demonstrations annually. 5.I will not use the Master Food Preserver title for commercial purposes or monetary gain. 6.I will attend and participate in the Master Food Preserver general meetings. 7.I will complete 12 hours of continuing education annually. 8.I will submit monthly my volunteer hours and continuing education hours into the Volunteer Management System (VMS). 9.I agree to complete a California State Department of Justice fingerprint background check (Livescan). I understand that fingerprint fees and costs are my responsibility to pay. 10.I understand the course fee of $136.00 is non-refundable. 11.I agree to complete a San Bernardino County Food Handlers License(not state). I understand that the fees and costs for this license are my responsibility to pay. In order to become a certified Master Food Preserver, the following must be completed before the date of graduation, April 20 2016: 1)8 weeks of Food Safety and Preservation training classes. 2)Weekly quizzes. 3)Presenting an oral classroom demonstration 4)Participating in a group Pressure Canning demonstration. 5)Pass the written final examination by at least 85%. 6)10 hours of volunteer service, including assisting at 1 demonstration at a Public Class. --------------------INTEREST IN COURSE, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL SKILLS------------- Which we will consider in assessing your application. Why do you want to be a MFP volunteer and what do you feel your commitment to the program will be? How did you learn about the Master Food Preserver Program? Have you had experience speaking in front of groups, giving educational presentations, or teaching? Please describe: List and briefly describe your volunteer or professional experience, such as with schools, churches, senior citizens, hospitals, handicapped, etc. In what area of food preservation are you most interested? Describe any personal skills, which we might especially appreciate in our program: What part of the week, month, or year would you not be available for volunteer service? If you are accepted into the MFP program, what type of approved volunteer work would you be able to fulfill the Master Food Preserver volunteer commitment? ___Giving MFP public demonstration classes or workshops ___Assisting with public demonstration classes or workshops, including helping with set up and /or clean up ___Staffing information booths at fairs, farmers’ markets, community events, etc ___Presenting ‘show and tell’ demonstrations to the public at community gardens, out-reach events, etc. ___Answering inquiries about food preservation, including safety questions ___Office assistance ___Teaching ___Testing pressure canner gauges ___Creating Displays ___Keeping membership records ___Other (please specify) PARTICIPANTS NOT WILLING/ABLE TO COMPLETE 25 HOURS PER YEAR OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATION, SHOULD NOT APPLY FOR THE MASTER FOOD PRESERVER PROGRAM. ----------calendar event------------- : 1/26/2015 Time: 6:00 p.m. Google Map Event Location: Agricultural Building Address: 777 East Rialto Ave San Bernardino CA 92415 Description: Become a certified Master Food Preserver to educate the public on food safety & home food preservation. From January 26 - April 18. Monday Nights from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $150/person. Register by October 1, 2015.