[faithsstuff]

Hey there, I've decided to try my hand at canning this year and the farmers markets are opening soon. Does anyone know where to purchase canning supplies in the Atlanta area? For that matter, are there any canners in the are with tips? Thanks all.
peace
faith

 

[BetsyS]

I can stuff. I have gotten jars from a number of sources--thrifting, garage sales, old lady friends

, and the regular grocery store. A couple of summers ago, all the Save-Rites went out of business, and I bought all their canning lids. I'm almost out, so I'm going to have to buy them this year. You can find them at grocery stores and Walmart.

edited to add: I have gotten stuff to can from the farmers' tailgate market (I go to one near me in Gwinnett) and also from the big farmers' market down in Forest Park. If you are willing to do conventional produce, you can get some great deals on stuff down there. Last year, I got boxes of tomatoes (25 pounds) for like 6 bucks each. Tomatoes are part of the "clean 15", so I don't mind buying conventional. This web site has a few of the numbers from some of the vendors. http://www.pickyourown.org/gafpfm.php It is like an hour+ drive for me, so I do call and get an idea of the price, but I get a better deal by going down there and haggling in person. Late in the day, and on a Friday before a holiday weekend have been my best deals. Oh, and once on a Monday morning, the really ripe stuff from the week before.

Tomatoes are my biggest thing to can, so that's why I'm obsessed with them. LOL. There are two seasons that come into the farmers' market. Florida tomatoes start coming in June-ish. Then you get mountain tomatoes in late August/early September. Then, there will be another Florida/south Georgia crop in early October. Peak of the season varies, but it's worth calling to figure it out, so that you get the cheapest prices.

I do A LOT of tomatoes, and I'm happy if I break $1/jar (some years way better, some years right at $1), but that's my goal, cause that's cheaper than the store.

 

[GirlOutOfNY]

I have canned the past few years, but mostly fall, and applesauce. You can get jars at Publix and Kroger, ACE Hardware and Walmart. But I have found the "season" is mid summer, and usually by fall they tell me they are "out of season". I found a bare bones canning set at Linens N Things, with a lid magnet, jar lifter, basket that fits 4-5 pints for lowering in a water bath, bubble releaser. This year I did better then last we have about 2 jars left! Good luck!

 

[CathToria]

I also do some canning. I also use my qt. canning jars for dh's sweet tea and other beverages (but I don't seal them, just top and store in the fridge) I've bought some jars (lids and bands) at Publix and Target. But I've also been gifted jars from people cleaning out. I've also bought commercial spahghetti sauce, canned peaches and jams in jars that say "mason" on the side, so those go into my stash.

Last August (?), I was in Target and all of their canning stuff was 75% off. I picked up a few boxes of lids and some boxes of pectin to use for this year. I'll look for that deal this year too. HTH