permaculture

328 Facilitator’s Handbook for Permaculture Workshops

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Presentation : Food preservation and storage

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images, black/white board, markers

References : PC Book MOD 12 – Appropriate Technology

PC Book MOD 6 – Home and Community Gardens

PC Book MOD 13 – Cooperatives and Enterprise Development

Objective : Participants learn techniques to improve food preservation and storage

Good food storage and preservation means that:

• Food lasts much longer.


• Food keeps more vitamins and minerals.


• Food is available to eat all year round.


• Less food goes rotten.


• There is more chance of selling food and a much larger range of products to sell.

Some appropriate technologies which help with good food storage and

preservation include:

• Solar driers – Use the sun to dry large amounts of food much faster than
  normal, and keep food protected from insects and animals. There are many
  different types depending on the materials available and the needs of the
  communit y.


• The Coolgardie safe – Invented in Coolgardie, a town in Western Australia,
  is an aerated box which keeps food cooler and fresher, therefore lasting much
  longer, as well as protecting it from animals and insects.


• Clay pots – Excellent for storing vegetables and fruit, keeping them fresh for
  many days longer.


• Pedal-powered grinders – A grinder that can be used to grind corn, rice,
  nuts, and more. It is connected to and powered by a bicycle.


• Oil extraction – Oil can be extracted from a number of fruits, nuts, and seeds
  for use in cooking and for adding to other foods. An oil press can be used to
  extract the oil.

With the participants brainstorm a list of how they could use a solar dryer to preserve foods

for their own use and for making products to sell, by asking the following questions:

What kinds of foods can be dried using a solar dryer?

• List of local types of meats and fish.


• List of local types of fruits and vegetables.

What kinds of saleable products could you make using a solar dryer?

For more information about these topics see the “Food storage and preservation” section

of PC Book MOD 12 - Appropriate Technology.