Community canneries–facilities, often subsidized by local government, where people can in bulk–are closing. With groceries easily available even in rural communities, there’s less need. And with busy schedules, people have less time for the labor-intensive process of canning their own food. But people who continue to use the still-operational canneries, like Arnold and Donna Lafon, find community and pride in the practice.

Caleb Johnson reported this cannery story. Irina Zhorov produced it.

We thank Blue Dot Sessions for music in this episode, which includes the following tracks:

Noe Noe by Castro

Lakeside Path by Duck Lake

Sunday Lights by Onesuch Village

For more information on the Carroll County Cannery, visit their website.