Don't need them for that trek
> I have searched around and found conflicting thoughts.
I can think of a dozen sites telling you that you don't need canisters in that area, but I can't imagine an official URL saying that you do.
EVERY part of the AT has the potential for bear problems, and you should ALWAYS use SOME method for protecting your food AND the bears.
Canisters are the BEST way to do so, but hardly the only way. You could use a good hanging technique (which I simply can't do) or an Ursack (which I have used for over 1000 miles of The Trail).
South of New York, only Shenandoah NP, Great Smokey Mountains NP, and Nantahala NF recommend use of canisters.
https://www.appalachiantrail.org/hom.../trail-updates