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FOOD SUPPLY, SAFE HOME CANNING HIGHLIGHT OF FARM-CITY WEEK KICKOFF EVENT
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) and Capitol Market will offer a day of festivities, displays and contests on Thursday, November 16, to kick off National Farm-City Week, and is seeking examples of home-canned fruits and vegetables from individuals wishing to contribute to the event.
National Farm-City Week is November 17-23. It takes place each year during the week immediately preceding Thanksgiving Day and recognizes the contributions both rural and urban America make in providing consumers a safe, wholesome and affordable food supply.
As another part of this celebration, the WVDA is inviting West Virginia students to enter a poster contest with the theme “Agriculture – No Farm, No Food” to increase awareness of agriculture and the food supply. Poster sheets are available on the WVDA website at www.wvagriculture.org. Submissions are due Monday, November 6.
Entries will be broken down into three age categories: Grades K-2, 3-4 and 5-6. First place in each category will receive a $75 cash prize, second place will receive a $50 cash prize and third place will receive a $25 cash prize.
Activities at the market run from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and will include:
* Thanksgiving fruits and vegetables and food safety presentation by West Virginia University Extension
Family Nutrition Program at noon.
* West Virginia Grown fruit and vegetable sampling at 5 p.m.
* Farm-City poster contest awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
* West Virginia Grown Thanksgiving gift basket giveaway.
* Display and safety tips for home-canned foods.
* Order gift boxes of West Virginia apples for the holidays.
Submissions for the home-canning display must be mailed or delivered by Monday, November 13, to: Capitol Market Office, 800 Smith Street, Charleston, WV 25301, Attn: Home Canning Display.
Entries must be in a jar specifically designed for canning and must be labeled on the jar with the type of product, processing date, process used, name and city of exhibitor. All entries must be in a sealed jar – no paraffin-sealed or solar-sealed jars allowed. Non-acid food must be canned under pressure. Low-acid fruits should be made more acidic by adding lemon juice. Tomatoes and fruits must be processed in a boiling water bath. Displayed items will include fruits, vegetables, pickled foods and soft spreads. No meat products will be accepted.
Entries will be on display through November 24. They must be picked up no later than that date.
For more information, call WVDA’s Communications Division at 304-558-3708, or visit www.wvagriculture.org and click on the “West Virginia Farm-City” link.
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The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org.
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