Yes, We Can. And You Can Can Too
By Stephanie Hass
There are 29 community food processing facilities in Georgia. All 29 centers provide a place for people in the community to bring in “home-grown” food commodities and utilize various methods of food preservation (canning, freezing, drying). Instruction is provided for every step from sanitation to handling and processing. Each center is operated by the local Agricultural Education Instructor and is designed to meet the educational and “value-added” needs of the local community.
Community food processing centers were started in Georgia in the 1950’s by the GA Department of Education, in conjunction with the University of Georgia, as part of their Vocational Agriculture program. Dr. Elizabeth Andress from UGA’s National Center for Home Food Preservation, touts these processing centers as a “valuable resource for people wanting an affordable way to process large quantities of food relatively quickly under the supervision of people that know how to use the equipment.” The equipment for most of these facilities is still original, says Dr. Andress, and was originally provided by the Dixie Canner Company, still operating out of Athens, GA.
Historically, the state Department of Education shared the operations costs for these facilities with the county that host the processing centers. Recently, however, the economic crisis has forced the Department of Education to withdrawal their funding from these centers, and the counties that host them are carrying the costs alone. They need our support.
View photos of a recent canning workship at the Community Food Processing Center in Eastonolee.
There are usually canning classes year-round to be found in the events sections.
Here are 4 reasons Community Food Processing Centers are pivotal to the good food movement:
- The use of a food processing center provides a way to better utilize fresh, locally grown, and raised agricultural commodities. The locally grown products can be processed and preserved for year-round use rather than seasonal availability.
- These centers provide the ability to preserve large quantities of food products without the use of any additives or preservatives. The entire family benefits from have an abundant and safe food supply.
- These centers provide a better educated consumer and an inexpensive stored food supply.
- The average amount of time spent on cooking, eating and cleaning up a meal is 31 minutes
Georgia’s Community Food Processing Centers
Appling County - 482 Blackshear Hwy., Baxley, 706-865-4936
Berrien County - 500 E Smith Ave., Nashville, 912-367-8617
Brooks County - 700 Manry St., Quitman, 229-686-3464
Calhoun County - 1800 Park Ave., Edison, 229-292-6255
Colquitt County - 12020 Columbia St., Moultrie, 229-890-6292/229-873-2011
Dodge County - 5911 Oak St., Eastman, 478-374-6485/478-278-8507
Dooly County - HWY 27 E, Vienna, 229-268-8181
Early County - 149 Chiefton Circle, Blakely, 229-723-5503
Emanuel County - 102 N College St., Twin City, 478-763-3661
Houston County - 1307 N Ave, Perry, 478-988-6298
Irwin County - 149 Chiefton Circle, Ocilla, 229-424-3446
Lanier County - 325 W Patten St., Lakeland, 229-424-3446
Lowndes County - 1606 Norman Dr., Valdosta, 229-482-2653
McDuffie County - 1160 Whiteoak Rd, Thomson, 706-986-4200
Tattnall County - 1 Battlecreek Warrior Blvd, Reidsville, 912-557-8999
Treutlen County - Varnadore St., Soperton, 912-529-4536 ext 2108
Fannin County - 811 Summit St., Blue Ridge, 706-632-0208
Franklin County - 57 Hartwell Rd., Lavonia, 706-356-8115
Gilmer County - 465 Bobcat Trail, Ellijay, 706-276-5095
Murray County - 100 Magnolia Dr., Chatsworth, 706-517-5738/706-273-6393
Pickens County - Holly St & AW Lawson Blvd., Jasper 706-253-1800/770-893-8772
Seminole County - 100 Adams St., Donalsonville, 229-245-2252
Stephens County - School Road, Eastonolle, 706-779-2218
Tift County - Chesnut Ave., Tifton, 229-254-4797
Turner County - 261 South Labelle St., Sycamore, 229-567-9377
White County - 283 Old Blairsville Rd., Cleveland, 706-779-2218
Worth County - 504 E Price St., Sylvester, 229-776-2068/229-777-8492