March 22, 2020

Benefits Derived from Canning and Preserving Food

By Joseph Parish

There is much that can be said about storing foods and preserving them in the manner used by our ancestors. Traditional methods of food preservation have slowly been fading from our modern life and it is essential to remember that once these routines are gone, they will be lost forever. It is left to our own devices to learn and to perpetuate these traditions revolving around canning, freezing, drying or smoking for the benefits of our grandchildren and for their children as well.

Our life would undoubtedly be boring if we were to follow the exact habits of our forefathers and merely consumed that which was currently in season. It is imperative than that we reflect upon the processes of preserving food to allocate some variety into our daily menu selection. We could very easily step out our door and leap into the front seat of our car and hastily make our way to the local grocery store to fetch several cans of corn or to visit the frozen food department for a medium bag of spinach to complete the evening meal but would you not feel better reaching into your home pantry shelf and withdrawing a quart jar of this or of that?

The foods which we can or preserve by any accepted method has specific benefits associated with it. We can rest assured that the efforts which we place into preserving these foods are not wasted but will provide a needed benefit to ourselves and to our families. Let's briefly review several of these benefits at this time.

The first entry which I would like to cover involves the environmental. With increased frequency many of my fellow Americans are becoming truly concerned about the damage placed upon the environment by mankind. These impairments are usually non-reversible and will often bequeath our future generations with a deficit of valuable resources. By employing the principles presented for food preservation we can reduce this undesirable footprint greatly.

Local farmers markets have been springing up all across the nation as more and more city folks are beginning to realize the advantages of purchasing locally produced vegetables and fruits. This return to locally grown produce has evolved into a new name for those who support such a venture, they are affectionately known as "Locavores", and most of these people would now prefer to consume the foods grown in their specific area as opposed to importing them from across the nation. Not only does this policy instill a boast towards environmental concerns but the provisions obtained will retain its flavor and taste much better in the long run.

For many folks keeping the tradition alive is an important step towards leaving something to future generations of a family. Although they could easily rush to the grocery store for their needs, they would prefer the old fashion method of "doing it themselves". These moments provide inspirations of great pride and represent cherished moments for bonding with family members which ultimately generate wonderful memories to look back upon in future years.

Of all the benefits attributed to preserving food at home we cannot overlook the benefit of enjoying fresh preserved produce or the associated health benefits which come with fresh foods. Few grocery stores can compare with the taste and the value of fresh picked vegetables or fruits. Canning and preserving permits us all to enjoy these foods while they are at their peak of freshness.

Lastly, we encounter the advantage provided to our dwindling pocketbook. There are certain economic benefits associated with canning and preserving your own foods which are not found in relying upon store-bought provisions. We live in a time of troubled economic periods where every penny count.   Some families have managed to expand these pennies as they preserve and process their own foods.

In conclusion, we can readily understand the various benefits that come with preserving foods during the times of plenty and we can look forward to enjoying them during those periods when they are not so readily available.