MSU Extension food preservation videos now available online

posted on October 24, 2011 3:04pm

CONTACT:    [email=gianiod1@msu.edu]Eileen Gianiodis[/email]
517-432-1555, ext. 230

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Fall is harvest time and that means that it is also canning time. To help Michiganders safely preserve homegrown fruits and vegetables, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension has posted a series of free, educational videos online.

These videos cover the following:

• Intro to Food Preservation
• Water Bath Canning Basics
• Pressure Canning Basics
• Freezing Vegetables
• Freezing Fruit
• Making Jams and Jellies

The six 15-minute videos explain how to safely increase the shelf life of food in order to enjoy it all year long.

“We don’t want people using outdated or non-research based recipes and directions that could cause food safety concerns,” said MSU Extension educator Joyce McGarry. “Preserving food at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but also very dangerous if processes are not followed correctly.”

In the videos, MSU Extension educators McGarry, Eileen Haraminac, Jeannie Nichols, Lisa Treiber and Christine Venema demonstrate techniques to safely preserve fresh food.

“Family and consumer science MSU Extension educators have seen a marked increase in food preservation calls and emails,” Nichols said. “Several food preservation classes are conducted around the state. We know, however, that not everyone can or wants to attend a face-to-face presentation or workshop.”

The videos allow these MSU Extension educators to reach more people.

“We want Michigan residents to understand correct food preservation techniques from a reliable source, like MSU Extension.” Nichols said. “It is important that people put a face with the information and realize there is a real person who they can contact.”

To find more information about safe food preservation techniques, residents can visit the MSU Extension website at www.msue.msu.edu. View the videos at http://vimeo.com/album/1697876.