What are the principal foods to be canned?
If it is anticipated that some products will be processed for sale, what will those products be?
Is there a market for the “for-sale” items?
Will canning supplies such as jars, lids, screw bands, tin cans be available? Can they be purchased at wholesale prices?
Is at least one person who is knowledgeable in food preservation methods available to supervise the cannery?
What will be the charge for processing a pint or a quart of food?
Will low-income people be able to pay this amount?
Are funds available to subsidize the canning of food for low-income people?
It is important to obtain a site easily accessible to the public. Selectmen, property owners, realtors should be approached for potential sites. Usually the center has limited funds, and it is difficult and takes time to locate an appropriate building with low-cost rent.
In times of a strained economy and high cost of property maintenance, the business community may be hesitant to provide low-cost housing for the site.