A free cooking class focused on safe home canning practices will be held Tuesday, June 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The event is a collaboration between the hospital and the University of Illinois Extension.

The class was developed in response to the recent Community Health Needs Assessment, which revealed a desire among Christian County residents for more nutrition education and better access to healthy foods. Organizers say the program is part of Taylorville Memorial Hospital’s ongoing efforts to address those community concerns.

Participants will receive hands-on instruction in water bath canning, including which recipe modifications are safe and which should be avoided. Attendees will also prepare a no-sugar-needed strawberry jam and a low-sodium dill pickle, using research-backed recipes provided during the session.

Online registration is available at registration.extension.illinois.edu. Free parking for the event will be available in Lot 4 on the northeast side of the hospital.