More information to come in the spring

Join us on Mondays and Tuesdays at 6pm for free educational presentations! Locations alternate between Cedar Falls Public Library and Waterloo Public Library. 

Pressure Canner Lid Testing

Pressure Canner Lid Testing 

Waterloo – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County offers free pressure canner lids checks Monday thru Friday between 8:00am and 4:30pm at 3420 University Avenue, Suite B in Waterloo.
 
Pressure canner lids with dial gauges need to be tested annually for accuracy. This service is free of charge and you can drop off your lid/gauge ahead of time when it is convenient for you. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings cause over-processing. Pressure adjustments can be made if the gauge reads up to 2 pounds high or low. Replace gauges that differ by more than 2 pounds. Every pound of pressure is very important to the temperature needed inside the canner for producing safe food, so accurate gauges and adjustments are essential when a gauge reads higher than it should. If a gauge is reading lower than it should, adjustments may be made to avoid over-processing, but are not essential to safety.
 
The following brands of pressure canners can be tested: Presto, Steamliner, Lakeside Aluminum, Kook Kwik, Maid of Honor, and Magic Seal.  We cannot test Burpee, National, or All American.
 
If you would like to get your pressure canner lid checked please drop them off at the ISU Extension & Outreach Black Hawk County office. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County is open Monday-Thursday 8 am to 4:30 pm.
 
You can call (319)234-6811 or email sheilaw@iastate.edu with questions. 
 
If you have a question about canning, the AnswerLine provides information and resources for Iowa consumers with home and family questions. Call 1-800-262-3804 toll free Monday-Friday 9 am to noon and 1-4 pm. 

Image

"We Arose Virtual Field Trip" by Food Corps

"We Arose Virtual Field Trip" by Food Corps

Thank You Food Corps Members, Clarissa Klostermann and Cadence Moon for sharing your 7 Tools Video! And a special thanks to DaQuan Campbell for sharing his knowledge about these tools!

Food Corps

Blueridge Orchard Virtual Field Trip

Food Corps Blueridge Orchard Virtual Field Trip 

Thank You Food Corps Members, Clarissa Klostermann and Cadence Moon for sharing your Apple Video! And special thanks to Abby Rippe for sharing her info and orchard with us! 

Extension, Food Corps & EFNEP

Extension, Food Corps & EFNEP Staff team up to learn the TESTED and SAFE way to CAN SALSA!

Thank You to Jill Weber, Human Sciences Specialist, for teaching Extension, Food Corps and NFNEP staff the safe and correct way to can salsa! And for sharing her home for the class. For questions you can contact Jill at: jrweber@iastate.edu

It is important to use a tested or researched based recipe when canning homemade salsa.

The reason being, the ratio of low acid vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, onion and garlic) to acid (lemon juice, lime juice, or vinegar) has not been tested in a non-research based recipe. Recipes that have been tested will have enough acid to prevent the growth of the botulism bacteria and provide a safe product that everyone can enjoy straight from the canning jar. View the TEST Salsa Recipe here: Recipe from National Center for Home Food Preservation https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can_salsa/chile_salsa.html 
Another great resource: Iowa StateExtension and Outreach Brochure, Preserve the Taste of Summer - Canning and Freezing: Tomatoes PM638 https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/3990            See more instructions here:

Image