While closings and limited hours became the norm at many places last year, the Gilmer County Cannery actually experienced some of its best attendance to date.
“We had better numbers last year than we’d ever had,” said Young Farmer Teacher Mike Bushey. “I think a lot of it had to do with folks being more concerned about the availability of food after COVID first hit. A lot more people planted gardens because they weren’t able to do much of anything else. We had around 75 new customers who’d never been here before.”
The canning plant inside the agricultural center on the Clear Creek Middle School campus will open for it’s 2021 season Tuesday, June 22.
The cannery’s equipment and supplies, including pressure cookers, steamers, pots, pans and utensils, can be used by the general public. Processing fees apply.
Customers are responsible for providing their own ingredients, as well as preparing and getting their produce into jars. Assistance is provided by the facility’s staff. As much advance prep work as possible should be done before coming to the cannery.
Some customers can items individually, while others come to the cannery to make specialty recipes, Bushey noted.
“Green beans, tomatoes and apples are our mainstays,” he added. “We didn’t used to do much salsa or spaghetti sauce, but the trend the past (few) years has been toward a little more specialty-type stuff like that. As long as we have a recipe and a cook time with the Georgia Department of Ag., we can do that.”
During last year’s canning season, customers were separated as much as possible and, to reduce big crowds, the facility opened for an additional day, Bushey noted. Customers were also asked to call ahead and make an appointment to get their canning done.
The appointment process will continue this year, Bushey said. Walk-ins are welcome only if space is available, but customers are still encouraged to call ahead.
“We’ve relaxed things quite a bit from last year, but we’re still going to do it by appointment so there’s not such a huge crowd (on those) mornings when you have 30 people show up and they’re having to wait a while. It makes it a better experience for everyone,” said Bushey.
Cannery hours for the 2021 season will be 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 17.
“We’ll officially close the day before Christmas vacation,” said Bushey.
COVID-19 guidelines include: Anyone with a temperature above 100.4, or cough, shortness of breath, feeling ill or has knowingly been exposed to COVID-19, should not come to the canning plant. Hand soap and disposable towels will be provided.
Customers can schedule an appointment by calling Larry Young, cannery supervisor, at 706-934-2975, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.