Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County to offer low-cost food canning classes for community members

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County announced that it will offer food canning classes at Tilly Foster Farm in Brewster this summer and fall. The classes, priced at five dollars each, are designed to help residents with limited financial resources save money on food costs.

On June 27, Cornell-trained Master Food Preservers will teach how to make jam from seasonal fruits. On September 12, the Food Preservers will cover how to properly preserve late-season produce, including tomatoes. Both classes will use water-bath canning techniques based on small-batch recipes that require basic equipment found in most home kitchens.

Home canning can extend the shelf life of fresh produce, reduce food waste and help manage summer produce. Preserving ripe fruits and vegetables must be done properly to preserve the safety and quality of the food; improperly canned food can result in pathogens entering the jars, with dangerous results. 

By learning the proper techniques for food preservation, residents looking to save money by growing their own produce or buying it on sale can extend the shelf life of food that might otherwise go bad. Registration is prioritized for community members with limited financial resources. Registration for the jams making class is now open. Late-season Produce class registration will open on August 1.