The Gilmer County Cannery is open for its 2023 season.
The first day of the new canning season was Tuesday, June 27, but the facility was closed the following Tuesday due to the July 4th holiday.
It will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays until December. Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., but all produce must arrive at the cannery by 10:30 a.m. in order for everything to be processed by closing time.
Mike Bushey, Gilmer Young Farmer Teacher, said it’s looking like some of the local gardens got set back by freezes during spring.
“To me things look like they’re growing good, but maybe a little behind because of that spring cold,” Bushey said.
The facility saw a great turnout last week on the first two days of the season, Bushey noted. “The majority (of what was brought in) was green beans,” he said.
Cannery customers are responsible for preparing and canning their own produce, although some help from the facility’s staff can be provided. Customers are also encouraged to do as much preparation as possible before arriving at the cannery. The cannery’s staff takes care of putting the products into the facility’s pressure cookers for sealing, and all products processed at the facility are for home use only, not resale.
Most customers bring their own glass jars, tin cans, rings, seals and other canning items, but the cannery can provide quart-size tin cans for $1.10 per can. Those canning in glass jars must provide their own jars, rings and seals.
Processing fees for the 2023 season are as follows: tin cans: $1.10, pint glass jars: 50 cents and quart glass jars: 60 cents.
The cannery is located in the Gilmer County Agricultural Education Center, 385 Clear Creek School Road, across from Clear Creek Middle School.