Wythe County Community Cannery Approved for New Boiler

The Wythe County community cannery will get a brand new boiler. Canning operations had to be halted last October after the old boiler broke down.

Last week, the county board of supervisors approved buying and installing a new boiler. The project is supported by a state grant of $50,000 and a board vote to allocate $60,000.

Residents can preserve fruits, vegetables, stews, and other foods using equipment available at community canneries.

James Smith, the chair of Wythe’s Board of Supervisors said that “the Wythe County cannery has served generations” of families, farmers and church groups. By moving forward with the replacement, we invest in a community asset that is important and support small producers and families.

Allyson William, county spokesperson, said that no date had been set to resume canning operations. The facility is still open for processing meat.

“We see a lot of traffic late in the summer and early in the fall.” Williams stated that they expect to be running well before the end of September and will provide more details as soon as the work is complete.

The cannery in Wytheville is part of the Wythe County Public School’s technology center. The county and school officials are examining whether they should relocate the cannery in the future.

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Email the Wythe County Board of Supervisors:
Bradley Martin, supvr_blacklick@wytheco.org,
Rolland Cook, supvr_westwytheville@wytheco.org,
Sarah Crockett, supvr_eastwytheville@wytheco.org,
Jamie Smith, supvr_fortchiswell@wytheco.org,
Jesse Burnett, supvr_leadmines@wytheco.org,
Dicky Morgan, supvr_speedwell@wytheco.org,
Stacy Terry, supvr_atlarge@wytheco.org,