Why You Should Can Your Own Food This Summer

Home canning is making a comeback. From making your own jam, pickles, tomato sauce, or even full meals, canning your own food can be very satisfying. Now that summer produce is readily available from your garden or farmers’ market, now is the time to take-up this age-old traditional way of preserving food.

There are two methods for canning food. The first method, using a boiling water bath, is excellent for beginners because it only requires a large stockpot, canning jars and lids, according to the New Life on a Homestead blog. This method can be used for jams, preserves, pickles, and anything that has a high acid content like tomatoes. The jars can be reused over and over again and can be found at garage sales or flea markets.

The second method uses a pressure cooker and allows you to can vegetables, meats, soups and even whole meals, explained the A Traditional Life blog. Pressure cookers get much hotter than boiling water and can reach temperatures of 240-260F (115-127C), so that botulism and other food-borne bacteria are killed off.

There are so many benefits to home canning from preserving tradition to fresher foods to limiting the environmental impact of the food you eat. Here are five reasons why you should  can your own food this summer.

Zero-Waste
Canning is almost zero waste, according to TreeHugger. You can keep reusing canning jars and only have to replace the lids since you need a fresh seal. Food waste, from stems, peels, and pits can be composted to use in your garden or in a community garden.

Get the Freshest Food
Canning is a way to get the freshest produce, and it allows you to eat seasonal food at any time of the year. Home canning allows you to preserve food straight from the garden or farm stand. Produce from the supermarket has to travel long distances and is frequently picked before it is ripened.

No Preservatives
One of the best things about canning your own food is that there are no preservatives and additives used in canning. Homemade jams are made of fruit, sugar, and lemon and all you need for pickles is vinegar, salt, and spices. You won’t have to worry about the extra sodium or unrecognized ingredients in commercially prepared canned goods when you prepare your own. Use organic produce and your fruits and veggies will also be pesticide free.

Saves Money
Canning your food will help reduce your grocery bill. You can grow your own vegetables or buy them in bulk. There are minimal costs in buying lids – after the initial purchase of jars and cookers – and it costs much less to do your own canning than to buy canned goods or frozen foods at the supermarket.

Be Prepared for Emergencies
With life’s uncertainties having a supply of food will get you through hard times, food shortages, and natural disasters, stressed New Life on a Homestead. If the power goes out from a hurricane, the food in your refrigerator and freezer will spoil but your canned food won’t. Or if a road is flooded, you may not make it to a store to shop. It just makes sense to have a healthy and safe food supply on hand.