Long before the time of heated greenhouses, and planes and trucks to ship produce from around the world, people had to plan their gardens carefully and preserve much of the harvest for the upcoming winter. Now that we can find almost any kind of produce in the supermarket throughout the year, food preservation skills have fallen by the wayside.

But as more people try to emphasize local eating in order to capitalize on the great taste and nutritional value that comes with produce grown and picked at its peak, the old skills of food preservation have come back into style.

For the third year, Local Roots Market is bringing back OSU Extension Agent Melinda Hill to teach two food preservation classes.

- Wednesday, August 1, 6-8 p.m.:

freezing and drying

- Wednesday, Sept. 5, 6-8 p.m.:

canning

Participants will learn what tools are needed to effectively and safely put up the harvest for the winter. There will be a charge per class for Local Roots members and non-members. Register by calling the market at 330-263-5336 or by email to roots@localrootswooster.com.

Make a resolution to use everything that your garden produces, and take advantage of what your local farms have to offer by preserving summer’s flavor for winter.

As a year-round market for locally-produced foods and other agricultural products, Local Roots Market is located at 140 S. Walnut St. in Wooster. The market is open weekdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; the café is open weekdays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Membership is not required to shop. To learn more about weekly news and events at the market, visit the website at www.localrootswooster.com and sign up for the newsletter.