Food Preservation Equipment Extends Local Growing Season Year-Round for Lander

In Lander, Wyoming’s short growing season limits residents’ access to fresh, local produce for much of the year, while gardeners and food producers lack equipment to preserve their harvests. When multiple community members independently suggested the same solution—a shared freeze dryer—within the same week, it became clear this need had widespread support. The kitchen manager at Meadowlark Market gathered these ideas, conducted additional community listening with shared-use kitchen users, and reached out to LOR with a comprehensive plan for a food preservation equipment library. The collection will include both in-house equipment like a freeze dryer and industrial can opener, plus items available for checkout like pressure canners and vacuum sealers. This approach serves home gardeners wanting to save their own food, producers looking to sell preserved goods during winter months, students learning preservation skills, and the Care and Share Food Bank working to reduce food waste. LOR’s funding will help purchase preservation equipment and promotional materials, creating year-round access to local food while building community awareness of the shared-use kitchen’s commercial capabilities.