Southport Magazine

The home food preservation season isn’t really that far away. If you’re thinking about “putting food up” this summer, this is a great time to learn more—before the busy time gets here.

People have been preserving food for centuries in an effort to keep food from a time of plenty for a time of need. Trends in home preserving come and go, usually based on the economy. The last couple years there has been a return to basics with more people trying to beat the rising cost of food by growing and preserving at home.

If you’re new to food preservation or would like to get a “refresher” on your skills, the NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County is offering a class on basic food preservation. The class will be held on Wednesday, March 19th at 12:30 p.m. at the Brunswick Center at Southport, 1513 North Howe Street, in the Smithville Commons shopping center. Topics will include canning, freezing, making jams and jellies, and pickling. The class will be taught by Cheryle Jones Syracuse from the NC Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County and is free of charge. She will be testing your knowledge of safe food preservation practices and sharing up-to-date recipes and resources. To reserve a space, contact the center at (910) 754-2300.