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Former Washington Post food blogger Kim O’Donnel would like everyone to get a little pickled this weekend. Or canned. Whichever.
O’Donnel is the founder of Canning Across America, which, according to its Web site, “is a nationwide, ad hoc collective of cooks, gardeners and food lovers committed to the revival of the lost art of ‘putting up’ food. Our goal is to promote safe food preservation and the joys of community building through food.”
CAA’s first big push is this weekend, when cities across America will host classes, demos, and canning parties to introduce this old form of food preservation to a new generation. It’s a smart move, not only because it can save cash-strapped families real money during this recession but because it cuts down on the massive amount of food waste in our county (which may be a sin after all).
At present there are no events for the D.C. area, but there are a couple this weekend in Philly. But maybe some of you out there will decide to host informal canning parties this weekend?
The full CAA press release is after the jump.
SEATTLE, WA. (August 26, 2009) –
Can we have a show of hands, I mean cans? Seattle’s in the house. So are Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Freeport, Maine!
Home canners, preservers and picklers are gathering ‘round the canning kettle this weekend in a unified effort to celebrate the art of “putting up” food. Leading these efforts is Canning Across America (CAA), a nationwide collective of cooks, gardeners and food lovers committed to the revival of food preservation, doing it safely and celebrating the joys of community building through food.
This weekend, Aug. 29-30, is CAA’s coast-to-coast kickoff, with how-to demos, classes and home canning parties in and around Seattle, where the project was conceived. Simultaneous community-based events are scheduled in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston (home to a “Can-a-rama Can-tacular”) and Freeport Maine. From Alfred Station, N.Y. to Willmar, Minn., home canners are stocking up on jars and organizing their own canning parties, as the summer growing season nears its peak.
Cookware retailer Sur La Table has lent its support with an online discount Aug. 27-31, and book publishers, such as Sasquatch and Ten Speed Press have donated canning-specific titles, including “Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It” by Karen Solomon and “Canning and Preserving Your Own Harvest” by Carla Emery and Lorene Forkner-Edwards.
Nationally, CAA’s ranks are growing; contributors and supporters include chef John Besh, Noah Sheetz of the NY Governor’s Mansion and food writers Janet Fletcher, Tessa Kiros, Karen Solomon, Sarah Gilbert, Sherri Brooks Vinton and Eugenia Bone.
Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of public radio program “The Splendid Table” recently said to CAA founder Kim O’Donnel that it sounds like “you’ve started a revolution.”
“No, Lynne,” O’Donnel replied. “It’s more like a Canvolution.”
For more information, visit Canning Across America: www.canningacrossamerica.com
Twitter.com/canvolution