Starting to see fruit? Here are 7 reasons to consider canning

Canned fruit stock image | Photo courtesy of Utah State University Extension, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Now that gardens are planted and fruit trees are showing signs of small fruit, many people begin planning how they will preserve the harvest – canning, freezing, drying and even freeze-drying.

The idea of producing your own high-quality foods for future use – and from scratch – can be very satisfying. However, even die-hard food preservers may ask at times if the efforts of growing produce and preserving are really worth it, so here are seven reasons to consider food preservation.

1. Emergency preparedness

Preparing for potential job loss, earthquakes or other natural disasters serves as an incentive for many to participate in food storage and preservation.

2. Economically beneficial

Whether food preservation actually saves money depends on several factors, including the following:

  • If you are able to grow your own high-quality produce.
  • If you own the correct equipment in very good to excellent condition.
  • The cost of electricity, natural gas or propane.
  • The cost of added ingredients and supplies such as sugar, pectin, lids, bottles or freezer bags.

A first-time food preserver may find it cost-prohibitive to purchase a new pressure canner, dehydrator or water-bath canner along with all the containers and other supplies, but those can be purchased over time.

3. Time saving

When considering this factor, it is important to think beyond the actual time to harvest, prepare and preserve the food. The time savings actually comes into play down the line when the convenience of having a bottle of stewed tomatoes or frozen chopped onions and peppers on hand to make spaghetti sauce alleviates a trip to the grocery store or time spent preparing these items fresh.

4. Quality control

Time from harvest to jar or freezer is minimized when you can pick peaches in the morning and have them canned that same afternoon. Sometimes several days go by between harvesting and picking in a commercial orchard to the processing plant. Also, when it’s your hands sorting through the produce to make certain everything is cleaned and unwanted pieces are discarded, you are more confident in the overall quality of what you preserve.

5. Flavor

In general, it is difficult to find commercially preserved foods without added salt, sugar, spices and, in some cases, dyes and firming agents or other additives. To a large degree, home-preserved foods can be prepared with reduced salt/sugar and added spices in your preferred amounts.

6. Health benefits

Those who have food allergies must always be on the watch for commercially prepared foods that have possible contamination from tree nuts, gluten and other potentially harmful allergens. Besides the freshness factor, when food is preserved at home, you are in control and can ensure that foods are properly prepared for your family. Reduced sugar recipes for diabetics and lowered salt content for family members with high blood pressure can also be used.

Having said this, the best way to feel totally confident in what is sitting on your shelf or in the freezer is to simply follow the approved guidelines and steps established by science and research, not necessarily from a blog, Pinterest or a Facebook post.

7. Reduced food waste

Home gardeners often produce more food than can be harvested and used fresh. For example, rather than having many stalks of ripened corn go to waste, cobs can be shucked, then cobs or kernels may be blanched and frozen. Remaining stalks can then be donated to a farmer to be used to feed goats or other livestock.

For more information on home food preservation, contact your local USU Extension office or visit the National Center for Home Food Preservation website.

Written by KATHY RIGGS, Utah State University Extension professor.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

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