Suburban Canning

Suburban Canning By Justen Collins

In these economically uncertain times, many Americans are finding comfort in the welcome sight of a pantry stocked with freshly preserved homegrown fruits and vegetables. With grocery and energy prices climbing seemingly every day, the process of canning and storing produce – which was fading into a lost art of our ancestors – is now becoming a common sense food “insurance policy” for families. But how can people living in cities or suburbs with little or no available yard space for planting and harvesting a garden take advantage of this old-fashioned alternative? One Kentucky 9/12 Project member has discovered a clever and cooperative way to overcome her own lack of gardening space while assisting others, building friendships, and stocking her own pantry in the process.

Like most residents living in the suburban communities outside of any larger city, Shannon Buzard found herself with a yard far too small and too shaded to support a garden of any significance. Having grown up in a farming community in North Dakota - where providing dinner by farming and hunting was as common as shopping for it - she spent her childhood eating vegetables that had been grown and preserved by her relatives. Mrs. Buzard now had children of her own, and she longed for an opportunity to demonstrate the responsibilities and rewards of gardening to them.

"Nothing bought in the grocery stores compared to those fresh natural flavors or the pride of knowing the people who sacrificed their valuable time to pick and prepare the produce for canning," Mrs. Buzard recalled. She added that the "perfect storm" of rising grocery prices, increasing possibilities for food shortages, uncertainty in government regulations, and an unpredictable economy combined to convince her that teaching others about the basics of canning produce could be pivotal in the event that a future crisis made it a necessity. Unfortunately, this educational opportunity seemed next to impossible as her postcard-sized backyard in the Kentucky suburbs was a far cry from the picturesque panorama of North Dakota farmland she had known as a child.

That's when a conversation with a friend who lived an hour away from town presented a new possibility. As their discussion turned to talk of gardening and the time her friend would be putting in harvesting her large garden's seasonal bounty - It did not take long to realize that the solution to both of their problems was simply a matter of working together. Mrs. Buzard volunteered to visit her gardening friend and lend an extra set of hands in their harvesting efforts. In return for her hard work and pointers on canning produce, they would allow her to take home some of the "fruits" of their combined labor for her own home.

A few phone calls later, and the Buzard family had plans to help others with tomatoes and pickles in the following weeks. By helping out friends with their farms Mrs. Buzard now had a pantry full of homegrown produce and the pride of knowing that their family had a hand in the effort required to stock those shelves. Soon, there were more families anxious for help during harvest season than the Buzard family could personally visit, so they shared their experience with other Kentucky 9/12ers living inside city limits and inspired others to begin donating their time and energy on local farms in exchange for delicious fresh produce and for many to learn the lost art of canning first hand.

What started as an opportunity to visit a friend and revive a long-dormant skill has turned into a vision for community organization and cooperation for Mrs. Buzard. "Should a real food crisis or national disaster occur, our communities will quickly realize that providing food is not as easy and convenient as we take it for granted to be." Mrs. Buzard is actively encouraging everyone in urban areas like herself to seek out farm families with which to volunteer their time. She concluded, "with everybody helping each other, educating ourselves, and surviving together, the rewards of increased pride, respect, dedication, nourishment, and enriched friendships across societal boundaries are limitless!"


Take Action:
If you are in the Lexington area the local 9/12 chapter there will be hosting a special guest that will be discussing canning and food storage Monday night September 12th. Join them Inn on Broadway, 1301 South Broadway, Lexington at 7:00pm for their regular monthly meeting.

Check out Pick Your Own Kentucky – has some great information on seasonal produce, canning tips, and information on where you can pick your own.