The Blue Ridge Cannery opened for the 2020 season Tuesday, July 7, and will continue to operate every Tuesday and Thursday through September 29.
The cannery, which is managed by Fannin County Agricultural Education staff and operated by the Fannin County Board of Education, features new guidelines and appointment times that were necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
Appointments, for 90 minute increments, will be scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 a.m., 9:10 a.m.,11:50 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Cannery staff ask that the quantity of each individual’s product, if necessary, be altered to adhere to the 90 minute time frame.
It is encouraged for each customer to do as much prep work possible at home before traveling to the facility.
Processing fees this season will cost $0.70 for tin cans and $0.40 for glass pint and quart jars.
The cannery’s COVID-19 guidelines are:
1. Anyone with a temperature above 100.3, with a cough, with shortness of breath, who has been feeling ill, or who has knowingly been exposed to the COVID-19 virus should NOT come to the canning plant. Staff will take the temperature of every individual as he or she enters the Canning Plant;
2. Agriculture teachers, cannery staff, and anyone who comes to the Canning Plant will be required to wear a face mask/covering;
3. The canning plant will be sanitized before and after each customer. Appointments are being scheduled to ensure time for cleaning and sanitizing between customers;
4. Hand soap and disposable towels will be provided;
5. Social distancing of 6 feet will be required inside the canning facility. Please adhere to station markers set up inside the canning plant;
6. Groups will be limited to a maximum of 3 people; and,
7. When a customer’s appointment time is over, they will need to leave the building and return later for product pick up.
Cannery staff would like to remind customers that all ingredients for canning various produce are the responsibility of the customer.
The cannery also does not provide salt and other canning ingredients. Basic supplies such as spoons, pots and pans, etc. will be available for use while canning.
Customers are responsible for preparing various produce according to individual recipes and getting it in the jar/can with assistance and guidance from cannery personnel.
Once the product is placed in the jars or cans, it is then the responsibility of the customer to clean the work area.
All products processed at the facility must only be used for home use.
They would also like to remind customers that the facility is operated as an educational program to the public.
Those interested in making an appointment can do so by texting or calling Young Farmers Teacher Rhonda Mathews at 706-455-2545 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If she doesn’t answer, leave a voicemail, and she will get back to you.
More information about the cannery is available by calling the Cannery phone number at 706-632-0208 and listening to the greeting. They ask that no-one leave a voicemail on that line.