Chelsea, Dexter and Stockbridge farmers markets win grant for canning demonstrations

In fact, throughout the market season, the Stockbridge Farmers Market, the Dexter Farmers Market, Chelsea’s Wednesday Bushel Basket Farmers Market and the Chelsea Saturday market are the recipients of a “Discover You Can,” grant that will provide canning education programs using different fruits and vegetables commonly found at farmers markets.

First up is a demonstration on how to make and can strawberry preserves Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon at the Saturday Chelsea Farmers Market, located on Park Street in the library parking lot.

Doll said as part of the event, “there will be giveaways of Ball Brand canning related coupons, Ball Beginner's Guide to Canning and Recipe booklets, and sample packs of Ball instant real fruit pectin and Kosher dill pickle mix.”

In addition, visitors can sign up for a raffle drawing “of great canning related prizes” including Ball Canning Discovery Kits, several of the Ball Blue Books, filled with more than 400 canning recipes and a full Home Canning Kit, including water bath canner, racks, funnels and jars.

The four markets were chosen from 140 submissions by the Farmers Market Coalition and Jarden Home Brands to take part in the program that will help residents learn what to buy and how to preserve local seasonal food, Doll said.

Here's a list of when other demonstrations will take place: Canning Demo Release.pdf

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