The economics of canning

[forkol]

7. I'm doing some canning this year

But as you mentioned, it does not make economic sense.

I think it's pretty much like breadmaking or cheesemaking, or sewing clothes. Usually much cheaper to by from the store.

I do it for several reasons:

1) It's fun and it's a nod to history and my family.

2) You can 'can' unique things that are not easy to find at any store. My friends and family love my pickled okra, one friend so much so she told me that she would like to learn how to can her own and wants me to teach her how to do it. You can find picked okra in the store, but I use my own special mix of spices, that folks just seem to love.

3) I know what ingredients are in there.

Money can be saved if you can re-use jars and bands. Then that way I only have to buy lids. Problem is that I give jars to friends and family that I don't always get back. I do tell them that if they want further canned items, it's better if they return the jars to me, so I can make more.