{"id":8456,"date":"2026-03-18T20:01:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T00:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/penobscot\/?page_id=8456"},"modified":"2026-04-10T09:45:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T13:45:40","slug":"food-safety-and-preservation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/penobscot\/programs\/food-safety-and-preservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Food Safety and Preservation in Penobscot County"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever wonder how to preserve and use all of that great locally-grown produce?<\/h3>\n
\"girl
Laurie\u00a0helps campers make refrigerator pickles, freezer jam, and gives them a taste of fruit leather made with Maine wild blueberries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Food System Professional, Laurie Bowen, offers food preservation workshops in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln Counties; where you\u2019ll learn the basics of canning and freezing\u2014plus how to safely use pressure and water bath canners for foods like pickles, jams, and vegetables.<\/p>\n

Workshops are taught by both UMaine Extension staff members and Master Food Preserver Volunteers.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Cooking for Crowds<\/h3>\n

Cooking for a crowd isn\u2019t as simple as it seems; safe storage, proper cooking, and serving times all matter. Check out this workshop designed to help volunteers handle food safely and confidently.<\/p>\n

For details about this workshop, visit the Cooking for Crowds page<\/a> on Extension’s Food and Health website.<\/p>\n

Would you like to host a workshop for your group?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Request a Cooking for Crowds training<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>ServSafe\u00ae Certification<\/h3>\n

Get certified with confidence. UMaine Extension offers an 8-hour ServSafe\u00ae training with the latest materials and exam proctoring, perfect for anyone working with food, including nonprofits.<\/p>\n

For details about this certification, visit the ServSafe\u00ae Certification page<\/a> on Extension’s Food and Health website.<\/p>\n

Request Form: ServSafe\u00ae Training<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Home Food Preservation<\/h3>\n

Thinking about canning your garden harvest this year? Whether you\u2019re new or getting back into it, make sure you\u2019re using safe, up-to-date methods. Start by looking into Extension’s Home Food Preservation resources.<\/p>\n

Updated recommendations are as close as\u00a0your local UMaine Extension office or call 800.287.0274 to find an office near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For details about this set of resources, visit the Home Food Preservation page<\/a> on Extension’s Food and Health website.<\/p>\n

Interested in hosting a workshop or want to see one offered near you?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Request a Food Preservation Workshop form<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program<\/h3>\n

Passionate about food preservation?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Become a Master Food Preserver Volunteer, gain hands-on training, share research-based knowledge, and serve your community. Maine residents 18+ can apply. Participants complete a 28-hour course with labs, pass quizzes and a final exam, and contribute 20 volunteer hours.<\/p>\n

Learn more: Master Food Preserver Volunteer Application Process<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Learn more: Master Food Preserver Volunteer Role Description<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Have any other questions?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Contact Kathleen Savoie at kathleen.savoie@maine.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

For details about this program, visit the Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program page<\/a> on Extension’s Food and Health website.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/a>Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing<\/h3>\n

The gauge on your pressure canner should be checked annually for accuracy. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension offers free pressure gauge testing on the following brands: National, Magic Seal, Maid of Honor, and Presto\u00ae Pressure Canners.*<\/p>\n

Call 207.942.7396 or email Laurie Bowen at laurie.bowen@maine.edu<\/a> to have your gauge tested.<\/p>\n

For details about this service, visit the Pressure Canner Dial Gauge Testing page<\/a> on Extension’s Food and Health website.<\/p>\n

\n

* Information in this webpage is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this webpage. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ever wonder how to preserve and use all of that great locally-grown produce? University of Maine Cooperative Extension Food System Professional, Laurie Bowen, offers food preservation workshops in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, Waldo, Knox, and Lincoln Counties; where you\u2019ll learn the basics of canning and freezing\u2014plus how to safely use pressure and water bath canners for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":8483,"parent":16,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-withsidebar.php","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-8456","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nFood Safety and Preservation in Penobscot County - Cooperative Extension in Penobscot County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/penobscot\/programs\/food-safety-and-preservation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Food Safety and Preservation in Penobscot County - Cooperative Extension in Penobscot County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Ever wonder how to preserve and use all of that great locally-grown produce? 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