Basic Food Preservation 

   According to Kentucky County Health Rankings from 2021, 10% of the population of Hancock County is food insecure; meaning that 10% of the people in Hancock County lack adequate access to food.  With the recent interest in gardening, homesteading, self-reliance and more people looking to food as health, interest in food preservation and preparation has grown. 

A series of Food preservation workshops have been offered. Teaching adults to preserve food and prepare food, has a greater effect on the family and community. Seeking local farmers and resources close to home helps everyone in the community. Jelly making, Water bath and pressure canning, freezing and food dehydration were techniques taught in the community. 

After the Food Preservation Workshop survey responses showed that 100% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed they could:

1. Identify safe, research-based methods of home food preservation.
2. Understood the difference between low acid and high acid foods.
3. Identify the correct method of canning for low acid and high acid foods.
4. Identify necessary equipment for home food preservation methods.
5. Learned better skills in home food preservation methods.
6. Could accurately prepare foods and containers for home food preservation.

      Follow up surveys indicate that 5% of participants use some form of food preservation techniques now, where they did not before.  5% of participants use canning techniques and now have a home business or sell at the farmers Market.  4% of participants now preserve at least one type of food at home.