Weekend fair offers crash course in food preservation

The Island’s second annual Food Preservation Fair will meet this weekend, giving Islanders information on what to do with their garden produce, wild edibles and farmers market goodies.

The Island’s second annual Food Preservation Fair will meet this weekend, giving Islanders information on what to do with their garden produce, wild edibles and farmers market goodies.

The fair, hosted by Vision for Vashon’s Food Security Working Group, will feature several stations showing food preservation methods.

People can find out about water-bath canning procedures for their homemade jams and pickles; learn how to make low-sugar jams and preserves and view sauerkraut in process as well as bottled vinegar, wine and pickles at a fermentation station. They will also be able to watch fruits and vegetables being steam-juiced or dried and vacuum-packed for freezing, see how staples can be dry-packed for emergency food and learn about pressure canning.

The food preservation lending library will also be there. It is an equipment library, and Islanders wishing to preserve their food are welcome to borrow what they might not have at home, including a steam juicer, pressure canner, dehydrator and vacuum packager.

The event will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, in the parking lot of Vashon Island Physical Therapy. A donation of $5 at the door is suggested but not required. The Vashon Island Growers Association will give away $2 coupons good for produce at the Farmers Market to the first 100 donors.

For more information about the fair, contact Jessica Lisovsky at triling@mindspring.com.