Woodstock IL -  Are your eyes bigger than your stomach when you’re shopping at the Farmer’s Market? If you’ve ever wondered what to do with unused fruits and vegetables, be it from your garden, the farmer’s market or grocery store, McHenry County Department of Health has your answer.  On Wednesday, November 9 from 7 to 8 pm at the Crystal Lake Public Library learn how to preserve food so it retains flavor, color and texture.  MCDH is sponsoring a food preservation demonstration by Amanda Olsen from the Preservation School.

According to Carol Waggoner, a nurse for the Health Department, “Freezing food from your garden is an affordable and healthy alternative to buying processed foods.  One of the many benefits to preserving food is that you know exactly what is in it.” Need some tomatoes for your spaghetti sauce this winter? Pull some out of your freezer.  In the mood for a raspberry smoothie? If you have a bag in your freezer, you’ll be set.  The freezing process for fruits and vegetables doesn’t significantly impact nutritional value or flavor.

The “Make Friends with your Freezer” seminar resulted from a food pantry garden project, of which MCDH was a participant.  Food pantry customers were given garden space at the Nunda Township Garden and gardening supplies along with nutritional and gardening tips.  Gardeners kept the produce they could use. Presenter Amanda Olsen, who has been practicing home food preservation for over a decade is the owner of the Woodstock based Preservation School. Amanda is licensed as a Food Safety Manager in the State of Illinois.

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