| It is quite common for the American family to | | | | produce in the grocery store because they can |
| have a garden growing in the backyard and up | | | | grow vast quantities. Canned produce can often |
| until recently, the produce that the garden | | | | last several months to several years, which also |
| produced was used when it was needed or | | | | makes cost effective since spoiling is not an issue. |
| wanted. Due to the recession however, amateur | | | | Other people are canning however, because they |
| and professional gardeners have jumped on the | | | | have control over the amount of sugar, salt and |
| canning ship in order to save every ounce of | | | | other additives that go into the food product that |
| produce that their gardens are producing. While it | | | | they can. In turn, this leads to healthier foods and |
| is not known how many people have started | | | | more people are starting to become more health |
| canning for their first time or how many people | | | | conscious than they used to be. |
| have started canning again, there are a couple of | | | | To many, canning sounds like the perfect idea to |
| things that stick out. | | | | eat healthy foods and save money at the same |
| A website run by the organization Canning Across | | | | time, but there are also a few drawbacks. |
| America has seen a spike in those looking for | | | | Several types of produce contains a bacteria |
| information on how to can. The organization also | | | | called Clostridium botulinum. If the bacteria is |
| holds simultaneous canning festivals at the end of | | | | present and placed in a jar, it can actually cause |
| every August and the number of people who | | | | botulism, which is a form of food poisoning that is |
| showed up also increased recently. Canning jar | | | | deadly. Due to this, strict guidelines that are set |
| and equipment suppliers have noted that their | | | | forth by the U.S. Agriculture department must be |
| sales have increased an average of 30% this | | | | followed. The bacteria can normally be killed by |
| year, compared to the same time period in 2008. | | | | using a pressure cooker that heat the produce to |
| It has also been noticed that canning equipment | | | | a temperature hot enough to kill it. |
| and jars have started to fill shelves at grocery | | | | Aside from the methods that need to be used to |
| stores and supercenters across the nation. A | | | | kill the potentially fatal bacteria, the produce needs |
| couple of short years ago, it was common to | | | | to be cut, the jars need to be washed, stuffed |
| only be able to find canning equipment and jars at | | | | with the produce and then submerged into very |
| yard sales. | | | | hot water in order to create the seal and ensure |
| As noted, canning is making comeback due to | | | | that all bacteria has been dealt with. If you have a |
| people trying to find new ways to save money. | | | | day or two a week that you can devote to this |
| Most people assume that canning fresh grown | | | | process then it might not seem like such hard |
| produce from their garden is cheaper than buying | | | | work. |