The University of Tennessee Extension is helping people learn to preserve food for optimum quality and safety. Hamilton County Extension Agent June Puett is offering Canning Foods classes that cover equipment and the latest research based canning methods. Classes are $25 and will be offered on:

- July 15 from 1-3 p.m.;
- July 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.;
- July 23 from 10 a.m.-noon; and
- July 25 from 10 a.m.-noon.

Freezing Foods classes will cover freezer selection and equipment, storage methods, easy healthy snacks and freezer meal recipes.

Participants will take home a jar of fresh freezer jam. Classes costs $20 and will be held July 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and July 30 from 10-noon.

Register with credit card at https://tiny.utk.edu/FoodPres2026 or mail check made payable to University of Tennessee 6183 Adamson Circle, Chattanooga, Tn. 37416 or drop it by the office between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Call 423-209-8560, or visit https://Hamilton.Tennessee.edu for more information.

Ms. Puett says class size is limited and are filling fast. “These classes offer something for experienced food preservers as well as beginners," she said. She also encourages Tennessee residents to enter a jar of home canned jam, jelly or preserves at the Tennessee State fair. UT Extension will transport jars of jam, jelly or preserves if dropped off at your county Extension office. 

Contact your local UT Extension office for more information. In Hamilton County, contact June Puett at jpuett@utk.edu or 423-209-8560 by July 17. Participants will have to pick their jars up in Lebanon on Aug. 23 if they want them returned.

The Tennessee State Fair will be held in Lebanon on Aug. 13-22. Participants must be 19 years old or older. Entries must be in clean, standard pint or half-pint canning jars (no specialty jars) with new, single-use two-piece lids and bands with no decorations or accessories on jars. The items should be canned using tested recipes issued in 2009 or later, such as USDA, Ball, Sure-Jell, or National Center for Home Food Preservation guidelines.

UT Extension will assist with transportation for Class 1 category only - jams, jellies, fruit butters, preserves, marmalades and conserves. See entry rules at wilsoncountytnstatefair.com.