As harvest season approaches, it’s helpful to have a plan for all the vegetables you can’t eat fresh.
For many people, the Gilmer County Cannery is that plan.
If you use the cannery for home-grown food, “you’re going to know all the processes and everything that’s touched the food that you’re eating,” Young Farmer Teacher Michael Bushey said.
The cannery opened July 12 and will run through December.
It’s open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays to anyone canning food for home use.
All produce must be brought to the cannery by 10:30 a.m. It’s located at 385 Clear Creek School Road.
Tin cans cost $2, glass pint jars cost $.50, and glass quart jars cost $.60. Those bringing glass jars must provide their own jars, rings and seals.
Canning is a great way to keep food fresh for a long time, Bushey said. A few hours can ensure food lasts for at least a year.
“A lot of people are kind of intimidated at first, but it’s really a very easy process,” he said.
By preserving garden vegetables with pickling or heat, people can truly get the most out of their harvest.
After a few active steps, people can even leave for a few hours, he said.
Whether it’s green beans, apple sauce, tomatoes or something else, the cannery is the perfect place to preserve a large amount of food.
“I think it’s nice that there’s no refrigeration required once you have it processed,” he said. “Whenever you’re ready to use it, it’s pretty much ready to go.”
With the cannery’s machinery, it doesn’t take long to seal vegetables away. The cannery includes a commercial vegetable washer, a steam blancher, a baster and a separator, Bushey said.
On most days, as many as 15 people can be present working to preserve hundreds of quarts of their produce at the cannery. People who attend the cannery often find fellowship with other people working to get their produce ready, he said.
Like all farming-related activities, the cannery’s productivity depends on the weather, Bushey said.
“We’ll do everything we can to make it a good experience,” he said.
For information, the staff at the cannery can be contacted at 706-697-8172.