Savor the Season, Preserve the Wisdom
By Angie Scheu
Nestled just outside of Sunbury, Ohio, Simply Living Business Member Glass Rooster Cannery is a hidden gem that’s preserving more than just food—it’s preserving culture, tradition, and community. Founded by Jeannie Seabrook and Susie Schmidhammer, this unique space blends hands-on learning with deep-rooted values.
A Practical Mission
Inspired by the community canning centers of the Great Depression, Jeannie (pictured) opened Glass Rooster Cannery in 2011 with her sister, Susie. What started as a personal journey into self-sufficiency blossomed into a vibrant partnership where people now gather to learn and build a more intentional way of living. Susie, who passed away in 2018, was a talented artist who converted a barn into her art studio. Much of her work still inspires visitors to the Cannery today.
The Cannery is both a licensed commercial kitchen and a dynamic teaching space, where the lost arts of canning, fermenting, baking, and seasonal cooking are made accessible, joyful, and relevant.
Classes That Connect
Glass Rooster Cannery offers a wide range of private hands-on workshops for beginners and seasoned homesteaders alike. Participants can learn how to safely preserve their garden harvest, bake fresh bread, ferment vegetables, or even make homemade soap.
But these workshops do more than teach skills—they spark conversations, foster relationships, and help people feel empowered to take part in their local food systems. Every class is a step toward a more self-reliant, community-oriented way of living.
Supporting Local Food and Local Futures
As a certified processing facility, Glass Rooster Cannery also plays a vital role in Ohio’s local food economy. Much of the produce is grown in the permaculture gardens on the premises and turned into shelf-stable canned goods—jams, sauces, salsas, pickles—that bring in year-round income and keep local flavors alive. What cannot be grown at the Cannery is sourced from local partner farms.
To help local farms eliminate food waste, Jeannie also created a program that enables them to bring their surplus produce to be canned and sold back at a reduced price. Those farms can then resell their canned goods at a profit.
The Cannery’s seasonal farm-to-table catering services are another way Jeannie brings people together—serving meals prepared with love, grown nearby, and enjoyed in the spirit of community.
Why We Love Glass Rooster Cannery
At Simply Living, we celebrate businesses that embody sustainability, community resilience, and a reconnection with the natural world. Glass Rooster Cannery is a shining example of all three.
By honoring traditional foodways, supporting local agriculture, and making learning fun and accessible, Jeannie Seabrook has created more than a business—she’s built a movement rooted in joy, nourishment, and care for the Earth.
Plan Your Visit
Glass Rooster Cannery
1673 S. State Route 605, Sunbury, OH
www.glassroostercannery.com
Browse the private workshops, book an event, or explore custom food processing options. And don’t miss their unforgettable farm-to-table catering, where every bite tells a local story.
Interested in living more simply, locally, and sustainably?
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Photo courtesy of Jeannie Seabrook.
