My family belongs to a Community-Support Agriculture farm, which means we get a big box of fresh veggies from a local farm each week. In addition, we like to pick blueberries, tomatoes and raspberries locally. Put together, it means we need to find a way to preserve all of this local fresh food for the winter months.
As our society becomes more aware of environmental changes, there’s a big push to “eat locally” to save the fossils fuels used to transport food and also build a better connection between local farmer and their communities. But it’s important to process food properly to avoid food spoilage and foodborne illness. What’s an avid canner to do?
The National Center for Home Food Processing and Preservation, supported by the national Cooperative Extension system, has plenty of evidence-based advice for anyone interested in canning food that is delicious and safe.
What will you find there? Just take a look at the Center’s list of “Seasonal Tips:”
- Learn about the equipment you need to can vegetables and how to operate it safely.
- Find out about the best methods of preserving flavor and texture when you freeze foods.
- Protect the food in your refrigerator and freezer when you have a power outage.
There’s also a multimedia page with videos, slideshows and graphics that cover important evidence on how to preserve your food at home, and a blog with fun and informative advice such as how to make your own fruit leather and how to can your own soup.
Enjoy the season’s bounty, and happy canning!
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