Food Preservation & Safety
Food Preservation Workshops
In-person food preservation workshops can be offered on canning, drying, and freezing a variety of foods using current Extension-tested methods. If you would be interested in a workshop regarding a specific area of food preservation, please contact Chelsea Wunnicke, Richland County Human Development & Relationships Educator.
Extension Richland County Food Preservation Services
Equipment for Loan – Food preservation equipment is available for checkout from our office including pressure canners and food dehydrators.
Equipment Testing – To evaluate the condition and accuracy of dial-gauge pressure canners. It is recommended to have this gauge tested every year. The Extension Richland County offers pressure canner testing at no charge. Please bring your lid or gauge to our office between the hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. When staffing allows, we can usually conduct the test while you wait.
Food Preservation for Entrepreneurs
Wisconsin Governor Doyle signed the ‘Pickle Bill’ (Assembly Bill 229) into law in February 2010. This new law, along with an emergency rule which clarifies points of the bill, exempts a person from having to obtain a license to sell home-canned fruits, pickles, salsa and other naturally acid and acidified products. Find out more.
Do you hope to go into business selling your cheesecake or marketing your famous barbeque sauce? Learn the steps needed to start a small food business in Wisconsin by reading this fact sheet.
For information on preservation publications, dehydrating, pressure canners/cookers, and home canning supplies, check out the following resources:
Preservation Equipment Supplies Richland County 2013
UW-Extension Food Safety & Health Website
National Center for Home Food Preservation Website