Home Food Canning is On the Rise
The home food canning industry reports that the sale of Ball and Kerr canning supplies is already 50% more than 2008. This particular trend is great news for farm producers of fruits and vegetables. As agritourism farm operators who sell farm products direct to the public, it is important we understand what is happening with the “buy local” food movement and how we can capitalize on the publics desire to preserve their own food.
- People now taste the difference of homegrown food picked at the peak of ripeness
- People want to meet the farmer who grows their food
- People want to preserve the homegrown flavors and serve them year round
While many people have an interest in preserving food at home most people have never done it before. I encourage you to offer classes at your farm on canning and freezing when you are in the midst of harvest. (Often your local extension agents will assist you with these classes.) I just read about a community kitchen in San Francisco www.yeswecanfood.com where 80 people showed up to preserve local foods. Many other cities now have community kitchens where you could host your own classes if you don’t want to have them on the farm.
Sell the canning supplies, pectin, fruit fresh and other products people will need for home canning. You might want to check out www.freshpreserving.com to get more ideas about the “how to” and recipes. Educating people learn how to preserve their own foods will help you sell more product and strengthen your connection with your customers.
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