HOME SENSE: NEW CANNING AWARDS SPONSORED AT SEMO DISTRICT FAIR THIS YEAR

The SEMO District Fair has a long rich history for outstanding home canning exhibits. This year many of those blue and red ribbon winners will receive additional honors.

To further stimulate interest in home canning, the Kerr Corporation is offering 12 award certificates, good for any size case of Kerr Home Canning and Freezing Jars and eight Kerr Kitchen Cookbooks. Winners who place first in the following categories; fruits, vegetables, pickles & relishes, and jams & jellies will receive two dozen Kerr Home Canning Jars and 1 Kerr Kitchen Cookbook. Second place winners in the same categories will receive one dozen canning jars and one cookbook.

Of course, the Kerr Corporation hopes the winning entries are canned in Kerr jars, but this IS NOT a requirement to be eligible. An exhibitor may win only ONE Kerr award.

The Ball corporation is also interested in stimulating the art of home food preservation and is offering 12 coupons (valued at $5.00 each) toward the purchase of Ball Home Canning Products and eight Ball Blue Book canning guides. The two best exhibits canned in Ball jars and sealed with Ball Two-Piece Vacuum Caps shall be selected from each of the following classes.

In fruits, vegetables, pickles & relishes, and jams & jellies, the first place winner shall receive two Ball Home Canning Product coupons an done Ball Blue Book canning guide.

The second place winner in each of the classes shall receive one Ball Home Canning Product coupon and one Ball Blue canning guide.

The Ball corporation, along with Heinz Vinegar will also sponsor the adults "Best-of-Show" Food Preservation Award. Any entry of picked fruits or vegetables meeting the participation and judging guidelines is eligible.

The best exhibit prepared with Heinz Distilled White, or Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar and canned in Ball Home Canning Jars and sealed with Ball Two-Piece Vacuum Caps shall be selected as the "Best-of-Show." The winner will receive the following: one complete Ball Home Canning Utensil Set, a copy of Heinz Successful Pickling Guide and five dollars worth of Heinz Vinegar coupons.

Something new for canned food exhibits this year is that entries must have been processed according to USDA food preservation guidelines, which are available at the county University of Missouri Extension Centers. Feel free to call your local center and ask for a free set of these guidelines.

Potential exhibitors, start up those canners and good luck!!

Susan Mills is food specialist for the University of Missouri Extenion office in Jackson.