Preservation

Home food preservation is a way to preserve the freshness of homegrown or locally purchased foods. Methods include canning, freezing and drying. Whether you have excess produce from your garden, or you simply want to preserve your own jam, SDSU Extension provides established and trusted research-based food preservation information.

Topics

shelves lined with canned goods

Canning

Canning is a method used for the preservation of a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits and meats.

various meals packed in ziplock bags and stored in a freezer

Freezing

Freezing is an easy and convenient method of preserving food. However, freezing does not kill bacteria, rather freezing slows down the growth of bacteria and enzyme activity- which affects the quality of the product over time.

two whole apples behind a small pile of dehydrated apple slices

Dehydrating

Drying or dehydrating is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. Drying removes moisture from the food and slows enzyme activity. Dried foods take up less storage space and do not require refrigeration.

Our Programs

Home canning supplies and canned vegetables arranged on a countertop.

Master Food Preserver Volunteer Program

If you enjoy preserving food, volunteering and helping your community, SDSU Extension's Master Food Preserver volunteer program may be for you!

A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables displayed on a countertop.

Pick it! Try it! Like it! Preserve it!

Pick it! Try it! Like it! Preserve it! materials are filled with tips for selecting, preparing, and preserving a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

cans of various jams and jellies on a shelf

4-H Food Preservation Project

Food preservation is a way to enjoy fresh-grown fruits, meats and vegetables all year! Many every day foods we eat are preserved by canning, pickling, freezing or drying.

Canning supplies arranged on a kitchen counter.

Home Food Preservation Self-Study Course

This course provides research-based information on food preservation.

Preserve It Fresh, Preserve It Safe

Several jars of home-canned vegetables arranged on a shelf.

As part of a multi-state collaborative effort, the North Central Food Safety Extension Network brings you the Preserve It Fresh, Preserve It Safe Newsletter. The newsletter is a bimonthly feature in the SDSU Extension’s Food and Families Newsletter that shares research-tested tips, recipes and food safety updates for anyone interested in learning more about home food preservation. Use the navigation below and subscribe to our “Food and Families” newsletter to receive the latest edition.

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Related Topics

Canning, Freezing Food, Dehydrating Food

Related Content

Jars of home-canned peaches.

Choosing a Liquid for Home-Canned Fruit

Interested in canning fruit at home? Learn some expert tips for selecting the proper liquid for your canning objectives.

Crate of harvested green tomatoes in a garden.

How to Handle Those Green Tomatoes

With cooler temperatures and decreased daylength, gardeners may have an abundance of green, unripened tomatoes this fall. Learn some delicious ways to use them in the kitchen along with some expert tips for ripening them!

Woman preparing fresh herbs for canning in glass jars.

General Kitchen Safety for Food Preservation

Kitchen safety during preservation is just as important as using a safe, evidence-based preservation method. Kitchen cleanliness can affect the safety of the preserved product.