Why You Should Can Food

Preserving food may seem like an outdated practice to some, but the benefits to canning fresh, local foods are immense. Whether you’re looking to cut down on food waste, find new ways to be creative in the kitchen or keep old family traditions alive, canning is a great way to make sure the pantry shelves are stocked.

Canning is cheap. Buying produce in season when it is cheap and plentiful for preserving can be an economical way to stock the pantry. And if you’re growing your own produce, it’s even less expensive.

Health benefits. Fruits and vegetables that are picked and preserved at the peak of freshness are the most nutrient-dense options, and if you are canning your own foods, you know exactly what is in the canned green beans, soups and jellies — there is no need to worry about any chemical preservatives.

There’s room to get creative. The options are endless when it comes to the recipes you can find, and for those who enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, experimenting with different recipes could prove rewarding.  

Low environmental impact. For the home gardener whose veggie patch is producing well, canning might be a good option for keeping the produce from spoiling before it can be eaten. Canning your own fruits and vegetables also cuts out the need for pre-packaged, plastic-laden produce.

Keep old traditions alive. My mom has been canning for as long as I can remember, and she speaks fondly of spending summer days at her Nannie’s house preparing produce for the canning process. Passing down family recipes and enjoying the same homemade flavors your grandparents did is special.