Q: I heard that you are offering a Master Food Program that is similar in design to the Extension Master Gardener program. Is that true?

A: Yes. K-State Research and Extension in Douglas and Shawnee counties are offering an Extension Master Food Volunteer Program that will begin in January. If you enjoy food, love to cook, are interested in nutrition, and want to become a “master” at your culinary skills and also help your community, then the Master Food Volunteer Program is for you.

The Master Food Volunteer Program provides a foundation of knowledge to volunteers in the subject areas of food safety, food science, food preparation, and food preservation.

Volunteers will receive approximately 40 hours of training in food science, food preparation, food preservation and food safety. These classes will be taught by K-State Extension nutrition and food safety specialists; Shawnee County Extension agents Lisa Martin and Cindy Evans; Nancy O’Connor, director of education and outreach at Community Mercantile, and myself. Each day of training will be filled with demonstrations and hands-on learning.

Once completed, volunteers will have the opportunity to share their skills and knowledge with their community. Projects could include providing cooking classes for adults and children, answering a holiday hotline, manning a nutrition display at health fairs, or offering bread baking and food preservation workshops, just to name a few.

The Master Food Volunteer Training 2005 for Douglas and Shawnee counties will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3, 17, 24 and March 3, 10, 17 (optional make-up day). Applications are due by Jan. 10. Training site locations for each date will be provided after the deadline. There is a $55 charge to cover the notebook, apron, name tag and teaching supplies.

The class size is limited to 30. For more information, call Susan Krumm at 843-7058 or Lisa Martin for Shawnee County at (785) 232-0062.

Q: Who can become a Master Food Volunteer?

A: If you are interested in food preparation, food preservation, food safety, or food science and meet the following requirements, you can apply:

• live in the county in which you will volunteer.
• be available for the 40 plus hours of training.
• be committed to donating at least 40 hours of approved service back to your community.
• have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• be able to travel to training sites for all classes.
• enjoy working with adults and/or youths.
• be willing to share your love of food through various projects and events.