Edible Blue Ridge Fall 2022

SHARING THE BOUNTY Please make a point of supporting these locally owned businesses in our community

New London Cannery WORDS JEREMY ANGIONE

Today, there are more ways than ever to produce and access food. From online delivery services to increasing fast casual dining options and even meal subscription services, it seems the only obstacle between you and a full meal is your preference. However, New London Cannery of Bedford County is doing its part to preserve both your food and the old fashioned ways of caring for it. The cannery has been in operation for more than 50 years and resides in an unassuming building just behind the New London Academy. Although personal canning is not as prevalent as it once was, the facility is equipped with industrial equipment, from steam tables to floor drainage systems and large pressure cookers, to ensure a safe and efficient canning process. Kenny Palmer, Operations Coordinator of the New London Cannery, says that there has been a definite decline in canning at their facility over the last decade. According to Palmer, their clients consist of “mostly folks with backyard gardens and hunters. People of almost all ages can here, but it is generally the older demographic that enjoys the canning process. It takes a lot of work and time.”

Cannery allows you to process. Fruits and vegetables aremost prominent, but meats, stews, and fish are also able to be canned.

Patricia Frazier is a twelve-year employee of New London Cannery. She makes sure to take advantage of the opportunities the job provides to store vast amounts of food for the winter months. According to Patricia, all her food is grown in her own garden and canned at the cannery. She says the only thing she shops for anymore is bread and milk. During the summer, when New London’s canning season begins, customers mostly come to can various greens and tomatoes. However, in the fall, the cannery sees a plethora of apples and meats, including deer meat, to coincide with hunting season. Customers are responsible for bringing their own food and following guidelines to ensure the right amount is placed in each can without overfilling it. From there, the employees of the cannery will handle the process of cleaning, sealing, pressurizing and cooling the cans. The cannery is not a food storage facility, so customers must take their canned goods with them. New London Cannery begins its season the first week of July. When in season, the cannery is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., although closing hours may vary depending on the cannery’s workload. 12430 E Lynchburg Salem Turnpike, Forest, VA 24551.

While you may have some idea of what foods you’d typically be willing to eat from a can, there are so many food items that the New London

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