What is the Master Food Preserver program?
The WSU Master Food Preserver (MFP) program is a volunteer outreach program designed to bring research-based education to the public. The program began in Washington State in 1976, as a pilot project in King and Yakima counties. For the first time ever, a group of volunteers was trained to assist the county Extension faculty in providing up-to-date food safety/preservation information to the general public. At the end of the first year, the program was deemed a success and is still in operation today.
What do MFP’s do?
At WSU the Master volunteer programs are an important part of the delivery structure of WSU Extension outreach and education. Volunteers serve in partnership with the local community, functioning as an unpaid employee of Washington State University.
Specifically, the Master Food Preserver volunteers:
- Assist county and state Extension faculty by answering food safety/preservation inquiries.
- Assist the county office staff with distribution of food safety/preservation materials.
Click here to visit the food preservation resource library.
Contacts
Julie Pirtle, MFP Volunteer Coordinator – julie.pirtle@lewiscountywa.gov, (360) 740-1212
Canning Club President
Gary Fredricks, Director of Lewis County Ext – garyf@wsu.edu
