Very little is “in” right now, but I like to start taking stock of what we have left on the can shelves and in the freezer. I also double up on the lids and rings and sugar and salt I buy weekly so that this isn't a big burden when we start canning in earnest. Although we canned over 50 pints of salsa last year, we have found it to be the currency of choice for many of our son's friends when they come out to work on the farm so we will definitely have to double the amount this year. The same is true for our spicy mustard and pickled peppers!
I've had a lot of people question the value of home-canned food. They argue that the quality is not necessarily higher and that the time spent is wasted. They tell me that the money spent of supplies and tools is too high and that they have to pay for childcare. One young woman told me, “I don't know why you waste your time when you can buy stuff in the stores. I have to have a LIFE!”
I've had a lot of people question the value of home-canned food. They argue that the quality is not necessarily higher and that the time spent is wasted. They tell me that the money spent of supplies and tools is too high and that they have to pay for childcare. One young woman told me, “I don't know why you waste your time when you can buy stuff in the stores. I have to have a LIFE!”
Canning has ADDED value to our lives. When our children were small (under 5), they participated by washing fruits and vegetables in the bathtub or dishpans set on kitchen chairs. I would measure out ingredients which they would then carefully pour into pots. When they lay down for naps, I would cook, jar, and process the foods. At the same time I would have a load of laundry in the washer and usually another load out on the clothesline (still my preferred mode of drying!)
Since we are the ones preparing the food, our quality controls is naturally higher than that done commercially. To me, this is also a great part of canning! I put in EXACTLY what I want according to my tastes and needs. If I make soup and someone is allergic to an ingredient, I can just leave it out.
Another value to be factored in was what I did with the scraps (strawberry caps, peelings, or ends). I could feed these to our chickens, who in turn gave us fresh eggs as well as delicious meat eventually. If you don't have animals to feed on the scraps, you can always use the waste for composting, which will enrich your soil to produce better crops.
As to the savings, this will vary depending on the level of effort you put into your work. Most people expect to see savings immediately! You won’t the first year or two. This is the time you will be accumulating your supplies. I made a list of things I knew I would need and asked for these for Christmas presents. Also your jars are an investment. The expense of these the first few years can be daunting, but they will hold you in good stead. (I have one from my husband's grandmother that is about 35 years old!) It will be important to decide what your time is worth. Mine was worth a lot when it meant I could can at home and be home full time to be mom to my 2 babies! (Now 27 and 26!!) My time was worth being home to be with my family and teach our values.
The time we spent with our children was fun and educational. They learned to work with each other, to do things from scratch, and to follow through to completion. They had the sense of pride in a job well done when we ate something in the winter that they had helped can in the summer. They learned to appreciate good food and preferred to save their money to eat at good restaurants rather than “eating cheap” at fast food places. Best of all the time we spent as a family was irreplaceable.
As to the tools and supplies, we often asked for the bigger items for gifts at birthdays and Christmas. Others we bought at yard sales and thrift stores for a fraction of the original costs. Jars can frequently be bought at yard sales. I pick up lids and rings each week through the year when I do my regular grocery shopping.
This spring I will be doing a demonstration of canning meats at Country Traditions in Dillsboro North Carolina. This is a great way to take care of meats you pick up on sale. Our daughter and son-in-law got some Boston Butt on sale and grabbed several pounds. They then went home and canned it in pint jars. This was a great opportunity for them not just in saving money but also in saving them time. A dinner of BBQ pork is but a work of minutes when they come home from work and school to open a jar of meat and warm in the microwave. I love canning stew beef to add to my vegetable soup. This can also be done at the last minute as opposed to cooking the meat first. The liquid in the jar adds extra beef flavoring for the soup as I warm it. Convenience is also the by-word when I can chicken breasts. All I have to do is drain off the liquid (Save this in a freezer bag and label.) when I want to make a quick chicken salad for lunch. It also saves time when making a casserole or Indian Rice Pilaf.
