As summer comes to an end, one of the things we have to look forward to is an abundance of fresh, local tomatoes.
The Main Farmers’ Market welcomed the harvest by hosting its first Community Canning Workshop. Held at The Green Door restaurant on Main Street on Aug. 25, the event showcased how canning is important to food preservation and contributes to a sustainable environment.
Terri O’Neill, a certified Master Canner, led the workshop and provided the eight participants with helpful tools for safe and efficient canning.
“The course was fun and very informational,” said Cynthia Dwyer, who took part. “I enjoyed finding out what canning books and magazines passed or failed, so now I know what ones to look for. When I went in to pick up my jar, there was only one left.”
This event could not have been possible without the partnership between the Main Farmers’ Market and The Green Door. The Market supplied fresh and local field house tomatoes, while Ron Farmer, owner of The Green Door, allowed the group to use his kitchen space for the event.
At the end of the evening, each participant took home a 500ml jar of canned tomatoes, as well as recipes and links to help them during their next canning adventure.
More canning workshops are expected in the future due to the success of the inaugural event.
