The Caroline County Cannery

Residents of Bowling Green and Caroline County have the opportunity to use the Caroline County Cannery for the canning of fresh vegetables and food to reduce the grocery bill and extend the availability of locally grown produce through the winter to the next growing season.  The Cannery is provided by the Caroline County Board of Supervisors and operated by the Caroline County Department of Public Works.

The Caroline County Cannery is located south of Bowling Green and adjacent to the Caroline County Community Services Center. Take Route 301 South, pass the Community Services Center, turn on Cannery Road, and enter the Cannery parking area.  The Cannery is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM between July 1 and December 30. The Cannery staff will answer your questions, show you how to operate the equipment, and assist you through the entire canning process.  They are not available to do your canning or to clean the equipment and preparation area you use.  You must remain at the Cannery during the entire canning processing.

When you use the Cannery, you will be required to prepare your food, place it in the cans, operate the equipment for processing, and clean the processing area and all the equipment used to process your food items.  There is no limit to the amount of food you can bring. The smallest amount recommended for canning is a bushel.  If you are canning larger amounts or several varieties, please ensure you can complete your canning before closing time.  The average length of time to complete canning is 4 to 5 hours, but the length of time will depend on the amount and type of food you are canning.  For the majority of fruits and vegetables, you will can an average of 18-21 quarts per bushel.  For items such as peas, greens, beans, and corn, the average is about 8 quarts.

The Caroline Cannery uses only aluminum cans.  No glass jars are allowed. The aluminum cans are available for purchase at the Cannery at a cost of $.35 cents each.

You should bring clean produce, paring knives, aprons, dish cloths, towels, and any added ingredients you desire.  You may also want to bring boxes or baskets to transport your cans.

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT!  No short shorts, halters, or open shoes may be worn at the Cannery. Children under 12 years of age are not permitted. 

You can obtain additional information about the Cannery on the Caroline County Website.  You can also read a news article about the Cannery here.