Community Canning Centers

Abstract: A 1976 study of community canning centers (CCCs) in 9 states, including a survey of the existing literature and personal and telephone interviews. It was determined that such centers provide community users with benefits ranging from higher quality food and greater food self-reliance to actual monetary savings; however, these centers are not self-sustaining and require subsidizing as they are a marginal business enterprise. The CCCs operate with a staff of 2-15, and are sponsored by food co-ops, community development corporations, school districts, counties, community action agencies, and state agricultural department extension programs. Principal variables of CCCs include types of containers, self-service vs. staff-canning operation, and degree of production for commercial and noncommercial use. Eight different possible models for operating CCCs were considered. Of 3 noncommercial canning center models considered, 1 based on the use of jars (rather than cans), and a self-service model, afforded the highest projected monetary saving for the community user. (wz).