Celebrate the Art of Home Preserving: International Can-It-Forward Day Returns with Chef Hugh Acheson

The timeless tradition of home preserving is experiencing a vibrant resurgence, connecting kitchens and communities worldwide. On Saturday, August 16, Jarden Home Brands proudly presents the much-anticipated International Can-It-Forward Day – an extraordinary global event dedicated to celebrating the joy, sustainability, and deliciousness of home canning. This year, we are thrilled to welcome a special guest whose culinary expertise and passion for fresh ingredients will inspire countless home cooks: renowned chef and Bravo’s Top Chef judge, Hugh Acheson.

International Can-It-Forward Day is more than just an event; it’s a vibrant movement designed to empower both novice and seasoned preservers alike. It offers a unique platform for home cooks to deepen their skills, discover innovative recipes, and connect with a passionate community through a variety of engaging online and in-person activities. What started as a beloved national tradition has now blossomed into a truly international phenomenon, expanding its reach to welcome participants from Canada and Australia, solidifying its status as a global celebration of culinary heritage.

A Global Gathering for Home Preservers: The Live Webcast Experience

At the heart of International Can-It-Forward Day lies an immersive live webcast, broadcasting directly from the bustling Brooklyn Borough Hall Farmers Market. This central hub of fresh, local produce provides the perfect backdrop for a day filled with inspiring demonstrations and invaluable insights. Viewers from around the globe can tune in to witness expert canning techniques unfold in real-time, making complex processes accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their prior experience.

The webcast will feature a series of dynamic canning demonstrations, led by Chef Acheson and other distinguished experts in the field of home preserving. Imagine learning the secrets behind perfectly sealed jars of summer fruit jams, tangy pickled vegetables, or rich tomato sauces, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. This isn’t just a passive viewing experience; it’s an interactive workshop where your questions matter. Viewers will have the unprecedented opportunity to submit their burning questions and receive real-time answers directly from Chef Acheson and the panel of experts, ensuring a truly personalized and engaging learning journey. Whether you’re curious about specific sterilization methods, ingredient substitutions, troubleshooting common canning challenges, or seeking advice on preserving specific seasonal produce, our experts will be on hand to guide you every step of the way, helping you master the most popular and delicious home canning recipes.

Beyond the Screen: Community Celebrations Across the Nation and World

While the live webcast offers a comprehensive virtual experience, the spirit of International Can-It-Forward Day extends far beyond the digital realm. This year, the celebration proudly reaches into communities nationwide, with over twenty-five farmers markets across the country hosting their own vibrant Can-It-Forward Day events. These local gatherings provide an incredible opportunity for hands-on learning, community building, and the chance to share the fruits of your labor with fellow enthusiasts. Attendees can expect local canning demonstrations, product showcases, and a palpable sense of camaraderie as neighbors connect over their shared love for preserving, strengthening local food systems and traditions.

These local markets serve as vital hubs for fresh, seasonal produce—the very foundation of successful home preserving. By participating in these events, you not only support local farmers and artisans but also gain access to the freshest ingredients, making your preserved goods truly exceptional. The “Can-It-Forward” philosophy encourages sharing knowledge, skills, and even jars of your homemade delights, fostering a supportive network that strengthens the tradition for future generations and promotes a more sustainable way of life. It’s about more than just food; it’s about connection and heritage.

More Than Just Canning: Diverse Activities and Exciting Records

International Can-It-Forward Day offers a rich tapestry of activities that extend beyond traditional canning. The event will also feature captivating segments dedicated to crafting, showcasing the incredible versatility of Ball jars as creative vessels for home decor, thoughtful gifts, and functional organization. Discover imaginative ways to repurpose your jars and add a touch of rustic charm, modern elegance, or practical utility to any setting in your home. From decorative lanterns to unique storage solutions, the possibilities are endless.

For those with a green thumb, or aspiring gardeners, there will be engaging sessions on herb gardening. Learn how to cultivate your own flavorful herbs, which not only enhance your daily cooking but also provide fresh, aromatic ingredients perfect for preserving. From drying to freezing, extending the life of your homegrown herbs is an essential skill for any home cook looking to embrace self-sufficiency and flavor. Additionally, attendees will get an exclusive peek at the brand’s innovative new drinkware line, expanding the possibilities of how you can stylishly enjoy and present your beverages, whether it’s a refreshing iced tea or a creative cocktail.

Adding an extra layer of excitement and community spirit to this year’s festivities, Jarden Home Brands will be attempting a truly ambitious feat: a Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Mason Jar Mosaic! This incredible undertaking symbolizes the countless individual efforts that contribute to the collective beauty and strength of the home canning community. Witness history in the making as thousands of iconic Ball jars come together to create a monumental work of art, representing the shared passion, creativity, and enduring legacy of preservers everywhere. It’s a testament to the power of community and a fun, visual highlight of the day.

Unlock the World of Preserving: Essential Tools for Every Home Cook

To honor the spirit of International Can-It-Forward Day and celebrate the enduring appeal of home preserving, we are hosting a fabulous giveaway, offering a curated selection of essential tools and coveted collector’s items that every home cook will cherish. Enter for your chance to win these incredible Ball brand products, meticulously designed to enhance your preserving journey and elevate your culinary creations:

• The New Limited Edition Spring Green Heritage Collection Jars

  Step back in time with these exquisite limited edition jars, meticulously crafted to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Ball brothers’ iconic “Perfection” Jar. Each jar boasts a beautiful, subtle spring green tint, reminiscent of historical Ball jars, making them a true collector’s item that adds a touch of vintage charm to any kitchen. Produced exclusively in 2014, these heritage jars are available in both versatile pint and generous quart varieties, perfect for a wide range of canning projects. Beyond their stunning aesthetic, these jars are ideal for both preserving your favorite homemade recipes and serving as unique decorative pieces, stylish pantry storage, or thoughtful, handmade gifts. Don’t miss the opportunity to own a tangible piece of canning history and celebrate a century of innovation.

• Fresh Herb Keeper

  Extend the life and vibrant flavor of your fresh herbs with this ingenious and practical solution. For many embarking on their gardening journey, herbs serve as an easy and rewarding first step towards culinary self-sufficiency. The Ball Fresh Herb Keeper is specifically designed to help you savor these delicate seasonings for significantly longer, keeping them crisp and flavorful for up to two weeks, sometimes even more. Its clever design provides optimal hydration and protection from airborne contaminants, significantly reducing food waste and ensuring your herbs are always ready to add that perfect burst of aromatic flavor to your dishes. Say goodbye to wilted cilantro and sad parsley, and hello to prolonged freshness and convenience in your kitchen.

• Dry Herb Jars

  Organize your pantry and preserve the potency and distinct aroma of your dried herbs with this perfectly-sized storage solution. These compact 4 oz jars are not only ideal for housing your homegrown or store-bought dried herbs but are also fantastic for storing a wide array of seasonings, exotic spices, and flavorful rubs. Their thoughtful, low-profile design allows for incredibly efficient, stackable storage, transforming cluttered pantries, spice racks, or kitchen drawers into neatly organized and visually appealing spaces. Bid farewell to old, mis-matched containers that let air and light degrade your precious ingredients, and welcome a system that keeps your culinary essentials fresh, accessible, and beautifully displayed, making cooking a more enjoyable experience.

• Frozen Herb Starters

  Capture the essence of fresh herbs at their peak and enjoy garden-fresh flavor all year round with these innovative Frozen Herb Starters. This brilliant product allows you to effortlessly preserve your fresh seasonings in convenient, ready-to-use cubes. Simply chop your favorite herbs, fill the compartments, and add a liquid base such as melted butter, high-quality olive oil, vegetable broth, or even water, then freeze. These flavorful cubes become effortless meal starters, perfect for tossing into simmering soups, hearty stews, rich sauces, or quick sautés, infusing your dishes with concentrated, vibrant taste even in the off-season. Enjoy the ultimate convenience of pre-portioned flavor whenever culinary inspiration strikes, reducing waste and maximizing freshness.

• 5 Blade Herb Scissors

  Streamline your meal preparation and achieve perfectly minced herbs with the exceptional Ball 5 Blade Herb Scissors. Featuring five incredibly sharp, stainless steel blades, these scissors are ingeniously engineered to gently and evenly cut delicate herbs such as basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, and more, with remarkable speed and precision. Eliminate the tediousness and mess of chopping with a traditional knife and enjoy consistently beautiful, finely cut results every time. Whether you’re garnishing a sophisticated dish for visual appeal or incorporating a large quantity of herbs into a complex recipe for maximum flavor, these specialized scissors make quick work of your fresh additions, significantly enhancing both the taste and presentation of your culinary creations. A must-have for any home chef!

• Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving

  Considered the definitive bible for home canning and preserving, the Ball Blue Book Guide to Preserving is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in the art of food preservation, from absolute beginners to seasoned experts. This comprehensive guide offers 125 pages packed with invaluable information that will confidently guide you through every step of your preserving journey. Within its pages, you’ll find essential equipment lists, detailed and easy-to-follow instructions for various preserving methods (including water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, and drying), and a treasure trove of tested, safe, and delicious recipes for everything from fruit jams and jellies to pickles, salsas, and sauces. This book is a must-have reference, providing reliable, safe, and thoroughly tested guidance to ensure your success and enjoyment in the rewarding world of home preservation. It’s more than a book; it’s a legacy of knowledge.

International Can-It-Forward Day is an invitation to connect with tradition, embrace sustainable practices, and celebrate the incredible flavors of the season. Join Jarden Home Brands, Chef Hugh Acheson, and a global community of preservers on August 16th, and discover the rewarding world of home canning and beyond!