Many individuals and families have had a renewed interest in food preservation in the past 3 years. Some are turning to the internet for instruction, but much of what is on the internet is misleading or just wrong. Safety when preserving food should be priority and research-based methods should always be used. With this in mind, the Grayson County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, implemented several food preservation workshops in June 2023 

A total of 33 participants were reached through 5 different workshops. The first workshop was conducted virtually and was marketed to individuals with little to no food preservation experience, or those wanting a refresher on the basics. Food safety and canning principles were the main discussion followed by a review of needed equipment for canning. Following the Intro to Home Canning class, 4 hands on classes were facilitated, 2 water bath and 2 pressure canning classes.  

After attending the various food preservation workshops 100% of participants reported they could identify safe, research-based methods of home food preservation, understand the difference between low and high acid foods, and can also identify the correct method of canning based on a food’s acidity level. 

Below are what some participants listed as the most significant thing they learned or will apply after attending: 

-    How to can safely when constantly seeing other unsafe practices all over the internet.

-    Pressure canning process.

-    Storing jars without rings.

-    The correct type of canning method to be used based on acidity of food.

-    Why acid is added to tomatoes 

-    Salt is optional.

-    Knife skills.