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Canning plant now open for business [The Tifton Gazette, Ga.](Tifton Gazette (GA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) June 28--TIFTON -- If you're looking for an adequate place, other than your kitchen, that provides services where you can prepare food to put up, then the new canning plant/agriculture facility will definitely attract your attention. An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new facility, which was located behind the Administration Building for many years, was held Thursday morning behind Tift County High School. The best way to get to the building is by entering the bus entrance off of New River Church Road. The new facility is not only a more spacious, cooler and cleaner environment where food can easily be processed, but it is also an educational tool for the community and students. The following services are provided: blanching, wet-pack canning, dry-pack canning, peeling and cooking. Okra, mixed vegetables, cabbage, peaches, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, soup and tomatoes are just some of the products that can be processed at the canning plant. Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax monies were put to good use to provide a beneficial and educational processing center for public service through the cooperative efforts of the Tift County Board of Education, Tift County Board of Commissioners, Tift County Agriculture Education Department and Georgia State Department of Education. Local agriculture education teachers operate the facility with Future Farmers of America student volunteers. A "If You Can't, We Can!" program has been developed by the student volunteers for the purpose of putting up cans for those who are unable to due to certain conditions such as work. The only thing they ask in return is a good tip for their services. Superintendent Patrick Atwater commented that the citizens who utilize the facility deserve a pat on their backs and recognition. He said Charlie Majeski has been a huge supporter and operated the past canning plant for many years. Atwater noted that Tifton's canning plant's design came about due to the agriculture staff spending three to four years visiting other facilities and then taking what they gathered to integrate a design for the new building, as well as adding needed equipment for better processing. Anyone who wishes to process food for home use is welcome to the facility, and two locals who have been canning for 20 years are Susan Griffin, 46, and her mother Betty Winter, 64. Griffin advised that about four generations of her family have grown up canning. She said her three daughters, 13-year-old son and grandson have canned products. "It's a family thing to can," Winter advised. "What I don't do here, I do at home. I taught my daughters and grandkids how to can. I've canned all the basics like tomatoes, green beans and chili. I take a week off every year to come here. That's my vacation." Griffin and Winter moved steadily in their work area Thursday as they canned green beans, as well as blanched tomatoes for a vegetable soup. Griffin commented that she adds a pinch of salt and sugar to the cans of green beans to help keep them from having a metal taste. She explained that once she finishes that, she adds a little water and then the lids are placed on the cans with a number that is given to you. The cans are then ran through a pressure cooker and they cook overnight. Griffin said the next day, they're ready to pick up. Griffin stated that she visits the facility every year with her mother and with the dry conditions lately, she has been getting her vegetables from Georgia Vegetables, but she usually brings what she has at her house. She advised that she also shares her processed food with her neighbors. "When you go uptown to the store and get a can of food, you don't know what's in it," Griffin explained. "But, you do know what's in your food when you come here, because you're making it. There's no reason to go hungry with this facility being here and it's affordable." With Griffin and Winter being long-time users, they were asked how much do they enjoy the new facility. "I love it," Griffin said. "The old one had only three tables -- first come, first serve. It was miserable. This place is a miracle and young people can learn like my mother did and other people who have been here." "I love this new plant," Winter added. "I thought I would pass out in the old facility, but this one is real nice. It has plenty of room and space. People need to try it; they don't know what they're missing." Winter said her 21-year-old granddaughter has taken an interest in canning. She stated that, "You don't catch so many people her age doing that. Kids need to learn where their food comes from." Visitors at the ribbon cutting ceremony got a chance to sample some of Winter's homemade Brunswick stew. Griffin stated that she is planning on doing a cookbook of her mother's recipes to sell for the FFA organization to use the proceeds to put back into the canning plant. "They need it and kids need to learn to do this (process food)," Griffin said. Chris Parrott was at the ceremony visiting the new facility and he commented that it adds so much to the community and it's a value to have it assessible to the citizens. Former South Georgia Region Coordinators Melvin Thompson and Majeski have traveled to numerous canning plants in the state and they advised that Tifton's canning plant is the nicest by far and a good teaching facility. The canning plant operating hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday until July 7 and also on July 14. It will be closed on July 4. It's open by appointment during all other times of the year. The cost for fully canning produce is 60 cents per metal quart can or 15 cents per glass jar (glass jars are not provided by the facility). Blanching for freezing costs only $1 per blanching tray (over 50 ears of corn or two bushels of peas per tray). Can costs are subject to change due to metal price fluctuations -- please inquire before processing. For more information, call TCHS at 387-2475 or the board of education at 387-2400. You're also welcome to come by and check out the new facility. To contact reporter Latasha Everson, call 382-4321. ___ To see more of The Tifton Gazette or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tiftongazette.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, The Tifton Gazette, Ga. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544) |