CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Local residents gathered at the Illinois Nutrition Education Program office on October 14 for a few hours for a hands-on canning workshop led by Extension Nutrition and Wellness Educator and Registered Dietitian Rachel Mannen.
This workshop’s roster was unique, as the class consisted of three pairs of mothers and daughters, including Mannen’s own mother and grandmother. There was a sense of familiarity among all the participants because of their familial connections. The processes for making both canned goods went smoothly as the participants worked together as a cohesive team, with clear communication and a sharing of responsibilities to move the process along in a timely manner.
“Generational cooking is a pillar of workshops like this”, said Mannen. “It’s refreshing to be able to lead a workshop filled with three generational pairs of all ages with varying levels of experience.”
All participants had prior canning experience, either from personal experience or through taking one of Illinois Extension’s previously offered canning workshops. The youngest participant, an active Champaign County 4-H’er who signed up for the workshop with her mother.
“She’s taken over doing all my canning, and wants to get into jam,” said participant and 4-H parent Erin Studer. The youngest participant showed enthusiasm to help with every part of the canning process and was the first to can the apple mixture she helped create.
Everyone was eager to jump into the process of making apple pie filling and cranberry orange chutney. The apple pie filling was made using apples generously donated by Curtis Orchard. Each participant left the workshop with their own jars and recipes to make more of the delicious mixtures on their own.
Illinois Extension also offers pressure canner testing year-round for those canning at home. Properly functioning equipment is essential for safe and successful canning, and Extension offices provide this vital service to ensure community members can confidently preserve their food. To locate the nearest pressure canner testing location, visit go.illinois.edu/findcannertesting
To learn more about Illinois Extension's Nutrition and Wellness program, visit go.illinois.edu/CFIV-Nutrition or contact Rachel Mannen at rmannen@illinois.edu or call 217-333-7672.
For more information on upcoming classes and resources, visit go.illinois.edu/CFIV or contact the Champaign County office at 217-333-7672.
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University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.