To Schedule An Appointment:
(229) 387-2480
Hours of Operation
Hours of operation will be posted in the spring.
Located on the campus of Tift County High School, in the back of the Agriscience Building
(Enter the bus entrance off of New River Church Road. The Agriscience Building is the first building on the right.)
What services are available?
Wet-pack Canning
Produce is prepared (peeling, blanching, etc.), placed in quart cans (provided at the facility) or glass jars (not available at the facility), sealed, cooked either under pressure or in a water bath for the appropriate time, and cooled.
Dry-pack Canning
Dry foods such as sugar, flour, meal, etc. are placed in either cans or buckets and packed down tightly. An oxygen absorber package is then placed on top, and the bucket or can is sealed.
Blanching
Foods are exposed to raw steam to stop enzyme reaction, expel respiratory gases, soften tissue, and retain flavor and color in the produce. After blanching, food may be either canned or packaged for freezing.
Peeling
A mechanical peeler is available to peel produce such as potatoes. Produce may then be further processed for canning or freezing.
Cooking
Large cooking vats are available for those who wish to cook produce and then package it for freezing. These vats are also used to cook canned products such as soups, boiled peanuts, and fruits.
Corn Creaming
Holt Creamer System available for use. The system will cut whole kernel or cream corn. The corn can then be blanched for freezing. All corn should be shucked before you arrive.
What can be processed?
Okra, Squash, Cabbage, Asparagus, Peaches, Carrots, Corn, Soup, Pears, Mixed Vegetables, Mixed Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce, Boiled Peanuts, Berries (black, blue, etc.), Beans (lima, green, butter, etc.), Tomatoes (whole, stewed, juice, soup), Apples (in syrup, butter, sauce), Greens (turnips, mustards, collards, etc.), Potatoes (irish, sweet, new, etc.), Peas (black eyes, field, etc.), Dry products (flour, sugar, etc.), and much more!
Who may use the Center?
Anyone who wishes to process food for home use ONLY!
What are the costs?
The only cost in fully canning your produce is $1.50 per metal quart can or 25 ¢ per glass jar (glass jars are not provided by the facility). Can costs are subject to change due to price fluctuations. Please, inquire before processing.
Blanching for freezing costs $2.00 per blanching tray.
Corn creaming for 10¢ per ear of corn.
Please inquire about other services.
Who are we?
The Tift County Food Processing Center is an educational public service provided through the cooperative efforts of the following:
Tift County Board of Education, Tift County Board of Commissioners, Tift County Agriculture Education Department, Georgia State Department of Education
The easy way to process your own food!
Eat healthy by knowing what is in the food you eat.
Control the amount of salt, sugar, and fat in your diet.
Forget heating up the house and the messy cleanup.