H 3214

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
Bill 3214
Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
Committee Report
April 29, 2025
H. 3214
Introduced
by Reps. Chumley, Magnuson, Taylor, Forrest and Hixon
S. Printed 4/29/25--H.  [SEC
4/30/2025 10:17 AM]
Read the first time January 14, 2025
________
The committee on House Agriculture,
Natural Res. and Environmental Affairs
To whom was referred a Joint Resolution (H.
3214) to provide a three-year pilot program establishing public school-based
community canneries where members of the general public may bring locally grown
produce to, etc., respectfully
Report:
That they have duly and carefully considered
the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
WILLIAM HIXON for Committee.
_______
A joint Resolution
TO PROVIDE A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM ESTABLISHING PUBLIC
SCHOOL-BASED COMMUNITY CANNERIES WHERE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAY BRING
LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE TO BE CANNED FOR THEIR PERSONAL USE, AND TO PROVIDE
RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND CLEMSON EXTENSION
AGENCY.
Whereas, public
school-based community canneries developed in the Southeastern United States
and South Carolina in the 1920s, and experienced increased popularity in the
Depression and World War II when "victory gardens" became a commonplace means
for families to provide fruits and vegetables for their personal use in times
of limited resources; and
Whereas, while such
community canneries continue to thrive in Georgia and other states, they ceased
to function in South Carolina, depriving communities of an efficient means to
provide healthful food for their personal use; and
Whereas, the Food
Systems and Safety Program of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Service offers robust food preservation programs to the public, including the
"Carolina Canning" program to help promote an understanding of canning as a
means for preserving foods; and
Whereas, an initiative
that would not only provide community instruction in food preservation using
canning methods promoted by the Carolina Canning program but also the
facilities and supplies needed to preserve locally grown food for personal use
would further the desirable goal of helping South Carolinians provide and
maintain supplies of nutritious food and enjoy the rewards of the fruits of
their labors long after growing seasons end. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1.  (A)  The
State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Food Systems and Safety
Program of the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service (Clemson
Extension Service), shall plan, develop, institute, and oversee a pilot program
of three public school-based community canning sites where members of the
general public may bring locally grown produce to be canned for their personal
use. The purpose of this program is to enable families to safely preserve and
store food grown by them for personal consumption through the use of:
       (1)   research-based
information, procedures, and instruction concerning canning food; and
       (2)   industrial-grade
equipment and related supplies that allow faster processing of fruits and
vegetables on a larger scale than can be done at home.
    (B)  The State
Board of Education and Clemson Extension Service shall cause the public
school-based community canneries to be pilot tested in three selected school
districts from 2026 through 2029 and shall provide community training programs
for food preservation using canning. Use of the canning facilities and canning
supplies must be provided to the community with limits on the amount available
for each family as determined appropriate by the State Board of Education and
Clemson Extension Service. Community members wishing to use the facilities must
be required to sign an agreement stating that they will not sell any of the
food that they can at the cannery. Each cannery must maintain schedules of
times at which the canning facilities are available to the public and also
shall maintain records related to the use of the facilities as the State Board
of Education and the Clemson Extension Service consider
appropriate.
    (C)  Before
January 1, 2029, the State Board of Education and Clemson Extension Service
shall report on the performance of each cannery and make recommendations
regarding whether the program should be continued and expanded through the
permanent enactment of legislation for that purpose.
SECTION 2.  This joint resolution takes effect
upon approval by the Governor and is subject to funding by the General Assembly.
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This web page was last updated on April 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM