The canning class was a great success! Here is a firsthand account from participant Michelle Clark, this week’s guest contributor:
There is a row of 12 crimson glass jars on my shelf that I am very proud of. I learned to can this year thanks to Jane Van Valzah at Friendly Cottage Farm, who recently taught a community canning class. We helped her dispose of her large tomato crop and we will be enjoying it through the dark days of winter. The class was an excellent opportunity to practice canning with a pro, have great conversation over boiling pots, and make some new friends.
My new canning friend, Miriam, and I decided to practice our new skills together. We bought a bushel of peaches from “the peach guy,” Billy Bowler. He had a bumper crop this year and these peaches are some of the best I’ve had.
A friend asked me, “why bother canning for yourself when you can buy things cheaply at the store anytime?” My first response is: “It tastes better!”
But I have other reasons. Food in glass jars is free of plasticy chemicals present in canned food (there is a plastic lining inside the can), grocery store fare is often shipped from some faraway place, and as a consumer you have no idea how the food has been processed or what chemicals have been used. As a young wife, I have been increasingly interested in the health of my family. In my quest for a yummy and healthful diet, I have been avoiding processed or “fake” food and pursuing a traditional diet. The rewards have been great.

A bright spot on my journey has been King George Farmer’s Market. I have come to know these farmers who grow their produce “in real dirt.” Their quality produce is definitely worth preserving.

Maybe canning is a lot of work, but it’s good for the soul: seeing those jars line my shelves and knowing that I have put aside quality food for my family gives me a deep sense of satisfaction and independence that weekly grocery shopping never will.
Thanks for your support!
The Market Manager thanks everyone for your kind words and dedicated support of our market and local growers and producers. Our market is growing weekly thanks to the commitment of our returning clientele and all the new folks who find us each week! We couldn’t do it without you!!
We are currently in the number one spot for winning the National Farmland Trust’s  Favorite Farmers Market Contest. Please help a friend to vote today and help us keep the lead. We have only three weeks to go! www.farmland.org/vote is the place to vote online — check it out!

YMCA Walking Club
Note the date change and join Elizabeth Clark of the YMCA at 7:30 am on Saturday Aug. 28 at the market for her Walking Club! The workout will be for three miles of interval walking (moderate and fast walking) around the Market and school grounds. There is no charge to walk and all are invited! Please wear good walking shoes and bring your own water bottle.  
As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Market real soon!

DeLaura Padovan, Market Manager