As America struggles with the difficult economic times we’re experiencing and more and more families are trying to stretch their budget and reduce their debt, a blast from the past is quickly making a strong comeback … canning. As the cost of food has continued to rise and the economy has continued to go down, many consumers are trying to manage their monthly debt in less high tech methods and returning to the “good old days” such as growing and canning their own fruits, vegetables, sauces and preserves as a way of saving money and managing the budget.
Although most have turned to canning as a means of saving money, there is another reason people are turning to growing their own these days, and that being the constant barrage of food product recalls and salmonella outbreaks.
A literature professor who chronicles her methods of trying to get out of credit card debt says that although canning began as a way to practice better debt management and save money, it has also become a big plus for her to know where the foods are coming from, and what is in them too, not just the money she’s saving.
While many people canning today will buy their produce from a local farmers market to supplement their own home gardens, suppliers of garden related products and seeds say they have seen their business increase as much as 38% over the last 14 months. The trend is also reflected in the sales at Jarden Home Brands, who supplies the popular Ball canning products, where it is reported that sales of canning products have increased almost 30% this year and plastic freezing containers have doubled from last year according to data from Information Resources Inc.
At the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, Alice Mullen has said that the canning demonstrations at the local farmers markets around the state have been drawing much larger crowds. The people are saying the need to reduce their personal grocery debt and the uncertain future of the economy are a big stimulus to the initial reason for canning.
However, many also say the thought of paying higher prices for foods packed with salt, preservatives and other unhealthy items may keep them canning permanently for the health of their families and saving money, the future of the economy won’t really be a factor any longer.
