PIGEON FORGE, TN – Old Mill, a shopping and dining destination known for its handcrafted goods and rich history, has opened a canning operation in Pigeon Forge, TN. From farm-to-shelf, the canning operation, part of Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen, will source local produce from area farmers and growers including Rutherford Farms of Maryville, and Mountain Mist Farms of Pigeon Forge.

“Many of the products we’re canning come from family-owned Tennessee farms who use sustainable farming practices,” said Old Mill Marketing Director Laurie Faulkner. “We’re working hard to preserve that level of quality in the final product, by doing the entire canning process by hand.”

Although this is the first canning business to open in decades, the area was once home to Pigeon Forge Canning Company which closed in the 1930s. Old Mill is using similar tried-and-true techniques to Pigeon Forge Canning Company like cutting, preparing and blending produce by hand to preserve sweet, fresh flavors, and cooking in small batches in copper pots. The Old Mill also fills, caps, labels and polishes products by hand to ensure the highest quality.

The canning operation is overseen by Jay Connatser, former bread baker and chef at The Old Mill Pottery House Café and Grill, and will focus on fresh seasonal fruit, both heirloom and hybrid variety, with a nod to southern tradition and the Smoky Mountain region.

“We wanted to can fruits we love, so they can be enjoyed any time of the year. We like to think of it as capturing a piece of what makes this region so great,” said Faulkner.

The first releases, created by R&D Chef Liz Denham, a Gatlinburg native and graduate of Sullivan University Culinary Program, includes a series of handcrafted jellies: Mountain Blueberry, Strawberry, Tennessee Blackberry and Nantahala Red Raspberry. They will be available for sale at the Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen and online at www.old-mill.com.

Denham is also working on seasonal fall releases and a special Christmas Jam to be released in November.

Opened in 2016, Old Mill Farmhouse Kitchen’s canning operation provides visitors a flavor of the Smoky Mountain region. Products from the canning operation are one of several handcrafted offerings at Old Mill which includes handcrafted pottery from Pigeon River Pottery, small-batch spirits from Old Forge Distillery and freshly ground grain from the historic Old Mill.