Why Canning?

Why canning?  Isn’t that more expensive then store food?  Are you preparing for the zombie apocalypse?  Isn’t canning a lot of work, when you can just get it at the store? These are just a few of the questions I have been asked when people find out that I can food. But that’s ok I have answers for them and any other canning doubters out there.

Yes starting to can, buying/ finding jars and the equipment, finding safe recipes, and sometimes the trial and error of canning is definitely more expensive then buying food in the store.  Especially if you find a good sale on canned goods!  Once you get established canning your cost can go down dramatically, particularly if you use reusable lids.  But if you factor the time and energy required to grow or buy the food, it is probably still more expensive- but I have an answer for that too.

Taste and nutrition are unequaled with canned food. You know exactly what goes into every single jar (hopefully).  You can adjust sugar content on certain jelly/jam recipes, and only a couple of ingredients are required for preservation depending on the recipe:  canning salt, vinegar, lemon juice. You can not adjust the salt on the recipe (usually) but think of the salt content in commercially made food, and they have other preservatives too.  I was skeptical that the taste would be better when I first started canning, but I can admit when I’m wrong- I was wrong!  I can taste the difference, and home canned green beans are the best!  So now I do not like to run out of green beans and have to buy them from the store, doesn’t happen as much now that I have a system & can way more then I probably need. 

And finally, the zombie apocalypse question. No, I do not believe in an actual time when a virus will infect people and make them a zombie (or however people believe this event will occur), but I do believe that events such as weather catastrophes, war, or other events can make a large group of people act like crazy zombies because of fear. And if an event like that happens, do you think the stores will be open?  Do you think you will be able to have money from the bank, and be able to spend it like you are now?  No!  In fact if an event occurs it usually takes 72 hours or more to restore order.  I’m talking major political, economical, or weather related events people, such as hurricane Sandy or Katrina type. 

So canning allows me to have a little peace, I know we have at least several weeks of food available-ALL THE TIME!  And this makes me feel self sustaining, and I believe this would be beneficial for more people to feel this way. Side Note:  I do have other supplies set aside in our basement for just such emergencies too. 

You can laugh, scoff and make jokes about “people like me, who hoard food for disasters that will never happen” that’s ok I’m a big girl.  I hope this never happens, I hope I never have to use my canning stash for emergencies or help others in an emergency. But the fact is that at least one major event will occur in my lifetime.  And if not and I’m wrong (I’ll admit it) then that leaves more for us to eat in delicious & nutritious meals through out the year.  Until that time inside I know that my family and I are always prepared, and that  is a peaceful feeling, and who couldn’t use a little more peace.