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April Canning Jar Drive

• Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 9:00 PM - Thursday, April 30@ 3:00 PM

Where
Extension Learning Farm, 2043B State Highway 68, Canton, NY

When
Month of April, 2026

Hours of Donation
9am-3pm, Monday to Friday

Description

For generations, people have “put up” their own food, while others are eager to build those skills and extend their seasonal eating. You are invited to support this long-standing tradition by joining the Master Food Preserver Volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension (Extension) in this year's Canning Jar Drive. The Master Food Preserver Volunteers of Extension are collecting new and used canning jars to be redistributed free of charge to home food preservers at outreach events as well as used in hands-on workshops throughout the year in St Lawrence County.

How to Get Involved 

You can play an active role in reviving local food canning by donating canning jars to Extension’s Learning Farm throughout the month of April. Between April 1-30, drop off donations Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm in the wooden shed on the right side of the driveway at the Extension Learning Farm at 2043B State Highway 68 in Canton. You can also order jars online to be delivered directly to the Extension Learning Farm.

Although pints are the most popular, any jar size or brand is acceptable as long as they are intended for canning (such as Ball, Kerr, Bernardin, etc.). Metal bands in good condition are also accepted, along with new (unopened) lids.

Benefits of participating
Every donor has the chance for a free entry to win a $50 gift certificate to the local farm or food business of your choice! All donors will also receive a thank you gift, which is a pack of greeting cards featuring northern NY agriculture created as part of the Extension’s Farm-to-Table Initiative.

Not accepted for donation

• Jars with nicks, cracks, or obvious damage
• Jars that have been painted
• Jars that have been used to hold chemicals or cleaning supplies
• Jars with food in them or that are dirty
• Bail top or hinge top jars
• Store bought item jars, such as pickles, mayonnaise, jellies
• Plastic jars or jars not meant for canning
• Used lids
• Rusty or bent bands

About the Master Food Preserver Volunteers
The Canning Jar Drive is led by the Master Food Preserver Volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County and the local foods team at Extension. This volunteer group receives intensive training from Extension on various preservation methods and then shares this information with the community by workshops and one-on-one support about freezing, dehydrating, water bath canning, pressure canning, fermentation, and more.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.

Fee

FREE

Location

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County
2043B State Highway 68
Canton, NY 13617

Last updated March 20, 2026