| Tradition of Canning on the Rise |
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| Written by Erika Fredrickson | |
| Wednesday, 10 September 2008 | |
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I suspected that what I see happening around me—a resurgence in canning and other food preservation techniques—is a larger, national trend. There's no statistical evidence of a rise in canning in recent years, but the Indiana-based company Ball, who has been making glass fruit jars since 1884, suddenly saw its sales jump 28 percent since 2007, with a 40 percent increase for large canning containers. The rise in how-to canning books (some of which are reprints from the '70s) is also evident as are canning classes. The reasons for a canning resurgence are many. Canning is an aspect to the local food movement, allowing people to eat food from their gardens even in winter months. It's about having control of your food sources and eating healthy. But it seems like a part of it is tradition too, and the satisfaction we get from popping open a jar of pickles. I opened a can recently and it brought me back to an evening earlier this summer: the sharp sting of vinegar in my nose, steam clinging to the kitchen windows, the bright green pile of sliced cucumbers, red cherry bomb peppers, the aroma of onions—and the radio playing news from across the world, saying local food is on the rise. Source: Jackson Sun
Comments (3)
  written by The author, September 11, 2008
Maybe. As I said, I have no hard evidence or surveys to prove it's a national trend across the board. But I'm speaking from my experience in Montana which has a pretty short growing season, and in fact,people can food because of that very reason--so that they can have food over the long winter months. We also can wild game, which is prevalent here. At any rate, what I'm seeing here at least is that people are canning more partly due to the short growing season as well as the rise in local food issues.
written by Candy, September 23, 2008
Interesting. I think I am apart of that trend as I just began canning myself. I think with the rise of food prices, it just makes sense that if you can grow your own food, you should. No preservatives, no pesticides - it's generally just healthier too. I hope more people get into the practice but also inform themselves on what their doing and their impacts to local soil and water. Go canning!
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It's true what our moms said...we are what we eat. In fact, it's truer than they thought. What I eat doesn't just affect me anymore, it affects all of us.
Unfortunately, the story of food can sometimes be complicated. But envirovores help each other out...which is why this blog will be bringing you news, tips, and information about food and the environment every step of the way.
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In places like the Maritimes or Northern Provinces where fruits don't grow as well and vegetables have a shorter season- Canning is less common as a tradition and not quite as popular as a "new" trend.
Assuming that areas such as Maine are similar to Nova Scotian farms- I would think that canning is also not quite as "National" as suspected.