New UH 4-H program teaches Oʻahu youth the art of food preservation

Contact:

In a state where almost 90% of our food is imported, teaching young people how to safely preserve locally grown fruits and vegetables plays an important role in strengthening Hawaiʻi's food security.

This summer, Oʻahu youth will explore how science, agriculture and entrepreneurship come together in the kitchen through a new pilot program from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The Junior Master Food Preserver Program-offered by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience 's 4-H Youth Development Program in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Master Food Preservers-will run July 13-24.

Designed for students entering grades 7-12, the initiative introduces essential food preservation techniques while providing the tools to create their own food products using Hawaiʻi-grown ingredients. Students will learn how to transform local harvests into sustainable business opportunities through dehydration, canning, pickling and creating jams and jellies.

"These hands-on agricultural experiences are critical for Hawaiʻi's youth," said Christine Hanakawa, Oʻahu County extension agent, 4-H Youth Development. "Young people gain practical life skills while learning how local food systems work and how they can contribute to them."

"Food preservation connects people to their food in a deeper way," said Tina Mueller, Hawaiʻi Master Food Preserver instructor and Hawaiʻi State 4-H Military program coordinator. "When young people learn how to safely preserve local produce, they begin to understand seasonality, food safety and the value of supporting Hawaiʻi agriculture."

After the summer session, students will return monthly for a studio day from August through November to continue developing products. In December, they will participate in a Keiki Open Market to sell the products they have developed.

Programs like this also help address local food security and food waste by extending the life of seasonal crops and giving youth the knowledge to preserve, share and sell local foods. Funding for the pilot program comes from the Hawaiʻi 4-H Foundation, the Hawaiʻi 4-H Alumni Association and private donors. Find more information online.

Key dates:

• Applications open: April 15
• Application deadline: May 15
• Participants notified: June 1
• Complete DOH Food Handler's Certificate: July 1
• Program dates: July 13-24
• Monthly studio days: August-November
• Keiki Open Market: December

About 4-H Youth Development

The 4-H Youth Development Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience provides youth programs across the state focused on healthy living, agriculture and STEM education, leadership development, and civic engagement.