by Sherida Phibbs, UCCE Master Food Preserver
When you meet Maricarmen Anaya-Rodriguez, her enthusiasm for food preservation and community connection shines through immediately. Since becoming a UC Master Food Preserver in 2018, she has been dedicated to learning and sharing safe, research-based preservation practices with families across San Joaquin County—especially the Latino community.
“I was inspired to become a Master Food Preserver because I wanted to gain the knowledge needed to preserve food safely and then be able to share that information with my community in Spanish,” Maricarmen explains. “It’s so important that everyone has access to reliable information in their own language.”
Education is at the heart of Maricarmen’s story. She graduated in Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in Family Sciences and has spent more than 20 years working in community education. For the past 13 years, she has served as a nutrition educator in the CalFresh Healthy Living program with UCCE San Joaquin County, teaching families how to make healthy choices. When she isn’t teaching or preserving food, you can find her baking or gardening—two hobbies that tie naturally into her love of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Maricarmen says one of her favorite aspects of being an MFP is teamwork: “I enjoy interacting with other members, learning from them, and working together to bring food preservation and safety information to our community.”
She particularly enjoys water bath canning, pickling, and dehydrating, and lights up when teaching about food safety. “It gives me the opportunity to clear up myths that participants may have and provide scientific information about safe food preservation methods,” she says.
One standout memory of Maricarmen happened during a recent Salsa workshop. A participant thanked the MFP team for offering classes and resources that made food preservation accessible. “That moment reminded me that our efforts truly make a difference—not just for the participants, but for their families and our entire community.”
At home, Maricarmen loves preserving the abundance of produce that San Joaquin County has to offer. Strawberry jam is a personal favorite, often making its way into her homemade desserts and cakes. She also enjoys making salsa and other fruit jams each season. Her go-to tip for beginners? “Always read the recipe carefully and prepare your ingredients ahead of time. It makes the process easier and less stressful.”
For Maricarmen, food preservation is about more than extending the life of food—it’s about health, safety, and empowerment. “Many people still get sick due to unsafe food practices,” she says. “By teaching safe preservation methods, we give families knowledge they can use and share with others.”
Maricarmen encourages anyone considering the program to jump in wholeheartedly: “Our community is large, and the need to share this information is just as great. Don’t think twice—become a Food Preservation Master. Your participation will have a positive impact.”
In Her Own Words
“Being part of the Master Food Preserver group has been a great experience. The opportunity to learn from each of the volunteer members and work as a team with a common goal to bring information to our community and protect their health through safe food preservation fills me with pride and satisfaction. We have been pioneers in California with MFP in offering these workshops in Spanish.”
