Cannery open on weekdays

    There's a new face at the Stephens County cannery in Eastanollee.
    Richard Johnson, who said he has worked as the meat manager and store manager for 20 years at Publix, is the new cannery supervisor.
    Stephens County High School  agriculture teacher Brad Dalton said that for some time, particularly during the school year, open hours at the cannery have been inconsistent.
    That changes, Dalton said, with the hiring of Johnson allowing the cannery to be open Monday through Friday,
    "We're very fortunate to have Richard to run it," Dalton said.
    Johnson said the cannery is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Mondays and Thursdays are devoted toward meat processing only.
    Johnson said all meat to be processed at the cannery must be brought to the cannery in a cooler.
    Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are devoted to canning vegetables and visitors wishing to use jars must bring their jars while cans can be purchased at the cannery for $1.50 each.
    Johnson said the schedule for the cannery operations is subject to change depending upon the season.
    "We're here to help teach and guide," Johnson said.
    Johnson said the cannery has had a “steady stream” of visitors since he started his new position last week.
    Dalton said agriculture students are taken to the cannery during some class times and that the visitors utilizing the resources at the cannery appear to be a younger crowd that's more interested in knowing for certain where their food is coming from and growing their own "organic" products.
    Johnson invited anyone wishing to know more about the cannery to call him at 706-779-2218.