Last week I attended a pressure canning class at the Helen Plum Public Library in Lombard put on by the Prairie Food Co-op.

Image Source: facebook.com/PrairieCoop

The Prairie Food Co-op is in the process of getting members so that it can open its doors within the next few years. A community-owned grocery store that carries local, organic produce and goods contributes to a local thriving economy. It also offers a plethora of benefits to the community members, such as classes and events like these.

I’m excited for the future NUHS students who will be here when it opens, and a little envious because I will be graduated by then! 

I’ve wanted to start canning for a while, and when I looked online at some recipes that warned of the dangers of not doing it properly, I thought taking a class would be the best way to get started! Food safety is important, and learning from experienced people who share scientific quality references will make the learning curve go smoothly.

This fall I will probably start with making applesauce because the difficulty level is low. It looks like a trip to my hometown to pick spray-free apples right of the tree is called for in the near future!