Home Food Preservation Workshops Offered in Southwest Pennsylvania

Penn State Extension will offer in-person food preservation workshops in Allegheny, Butler, and Westmoreland counties this summer.

Instructors will present research-backed information to help dispel food preservation myths, point out unsafe practices, and offer practical tips to ensure a positive experience when preserving food at home.

These two-hour workshops will help attendees — whether seasoned experts or beginners — to gain valuable food-preservation skills. The registration fee is $15, and preregistration is required.

Workshop topics, times, dates, and locations are as follows:

Home Food Preservation: Introduction to Preserving Learn the basics of canning, the best practices for safely drying foods, and how to preserve food at home during this information workshop!

• July 30, 2026 (10:00 am) Boyce Park

Home Food Preservation: Jams and Jellies Learn the science behind recommended methods for making and processing jam and jelly, while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices.

• July 29, 2026 (5:30 pm) Penn State Extension office, Greensburg
• August 8, 2026 (11:00 am) Mars Area Public Library

Home Food Preservation: Tomatoes and Salsa Learn about today's recommended methods for home food preservation during this in-person event while dispelling food preservation myths and unsafe practices of the past.

• September 9, 2026 (5:30 pm) Penn State Extension office, Greensburg

For more information, contact Beth Kocsis, elk5294@psu.edu, Food Safety Educator based in Allegheny County.