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Can-It-Forward: The 2015 Celebration of Sharing

Celebrate the Art of Fresh Preserving: Can-It-Forward Day Returns August 1st!

Mark your calendars! Can-It-Forward Day is an annual celebration of fresh preserving, dedicated to inspiring individuals across the globe to embrace the timeless tradition of home canning. This year, the highly anticipated event takes place on Saturday, August 1st, offering a unique opportunity for both novice and experienced canners to learn, share, and connect. Hosted by Jarden Home Brands, the innovators behind the iconic Ball® canning brand, this day-long virtual event promises a wealth of knowledge, delicious recipes, and engaging demonstrations streamed live from their state-of-the-art headquarters in Fishers, Indiana.

Can-It-Forward Day is more than just a series of demonstrations; it’s a movement that encourages gardeners, food enthusiasts, and families to celebrate what “Made From Here” truly means to them. It’s about preserving the vibrant flavors of peak-season local ingredients, transforming fresh produce into shelf-stable culinary delights. Over the past five years, this hallmark event has empowered tens of thousands of people to discover the simplicity and satisfaction of safe home canning practices, providing free recipes and expert instruction that foster confidence and creativity in the kitchen.

The Resurgence of Home Canning: A Timeless Tradition Reimagined

The popularity of fresh preserving has surged dramatically in recent years, reflecting a growing consumer interest in healthy eating, sustainable living, and a deeper connection to food sources. This renaissance is evident in the remarkable success of the Ball canning brand, which celebrated its most successful sales year in over 130 years in 2014. The sheer volume of Ball canning jars produced that year alone was enough to circle the Earth, a testament to the enduring appeal and renewed enthusiasm for home canning.

People are rediscovering home canning for a myriad of reasons. It offers unparalleled control over ingredients, allowing individuals to avoid unwanted additives and customize flavors to their preference. It’s an effective way to reduce food waste, capturing the bounty of a garden or a farmer’s market before it spoils. Beyond the practical benefits, home canning is a deeply rewarding activity that fosters self-sufficiency, creativity, and a tangible link to culinary traditions passed down through generations. It transforms ordinary fruits and vegetables into extraordinary pantry staples, ready to be enjoyed long after their growing season has ended.

“Made From Here”: Celebrating Local Flavors and Community

At the core of Can-It-Forward Day is the “Made From Here” philosophy, an ethos that champions the use of local, seasonal ingredients. This concept extends beyond simply sourcing produce from nearby farms; it embodies a commitment to community, sustainability, and the unique flavors that define a region. By choosing to preserve “Made From Here” ingredients, you’re not only capturing the freshest tastes but also supporting local farmers, reducing your carbon footprint, and celebrating the distinct culinary heritage of your own backyard.

The event highlights how simple it is to transform these local treasures into delicious, preserved goods. Whether it’s the sweet tang of blueberries from a nearby bush, the crispness of apples from an orchard down the road, or the vibrant zest of tomatoes from a community garden, fresh preserving allows you to extend the life of these seasonal delights. It encourages a mindful approach to food, fostering an appreciation for where our food comes from and the journey it takes to reach our tables. Can-It-Forward Day provides the tools and inspiration to make this connection a delicious reality for everyone.

The Heart of the Event: A Global Live Webcast Experience

The centerpiece of Can-It-Forward Day is its dynamic live webcast, broadcast from www.FreshPreserving.com. This immersive online experience runs from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST, bringing expert demonstrations and invaluable insights directly to your home. Viewers can tune in to watch a series of live canning tutorials, featuring a diverse range of recipes designed to inspire and educate. From basic preservation techniques to more advanced methods, the webcast covers everything you need to confidently embark on your canning journey.

A key feature of the webcast is its integrated chat function, allowing consumers to submit their home canning questions in real time. This interactive element ensures that participants receive personalized advice and clarification from canning experts, making the learning process engaging and highly effective. Adding an exciting new twist this year, the webcast will also unveil a special celebrity mason jar auction, offering unique, collectible items for a good cause. This combination of education, interaction, and entertainment makes the Can-It-Forward Day webcast an unmissable event for anyone interested in food preservation.

Meet the Experts: Inspiring Blogger Ambassadors and International Chefs

To showcase the simplicity and versatility of home canning, Jarden Home Brands has partnered with four esteemed blogger ambassadors from across the country. These passionate food preservers will share their expertise and unique recipes during the live webcast, each bringing a distinct regional flavor to the global celebration.

The lineup of inspiring ambassadors includes:

  • Marisa McClellan of Food in Jars, hailing from Philadelphia, PA, a renowned voice in the canning community known for her creative and accessible recipes.
  • Liz Latham of Hoosier Homemade from LaPorte, IN, who brings a warm, family-focused approach to home cooking and preserving.
  • Christy Jordan of Southern Plate from Huntsville, AL, celebrated for her comforting Southern recipes and down-to-earth style.
  • Malia Martine Karlinsky of Yesterday on Tuesday from Seattle, WA, who shares crafts, recipes, and homekeeping tips with a focus on seasonal living.

These incredible blogger ambassadors will join Jarden Home Brands in hosting this year’s International Can-It-Forward Day, each demonstrating a unique preserving recipe that highlights seasonal produce special to their communities. Expect to learn how to create delectable treats such as Sweet and Tangy Pickled Blueberries, heartwarming Apple-Blueberry Jam, and savory Green Tomato Relish, all designed to showcase the incredible potential of your local harvest.

Global Reach and the Science of Safe Preserving

Beyond American favorites, Can-It-Forward Day truly lives up to its “International” title by featuring flavors and techniques from around the world. Chef Rebecca Sullivan will delight viewers with favorite recipes from Australia, offering a glimpse into global preserving traditions. This international exchange not only broadens culinary horizons but also reinforces the universal appeal of food preservation.

Ensuring safety and quality is paramount in home canning, and Chef Sarah Page of Jarden Home Brands will provide invaluable insights into this critical aspect. She will take viewers behind the scenes of recipe testing and development, showcasing the meticulous science involved in guaranteeing the highest quality and safety standards for all Ball brand home canning recipes. This segment offers a rare look at the rigor and dedication that goes into developing reliable preserving instructions, giving canners confidence in every jar they seal. Furthermore, canners in Jarden Home Brands’ newest markets, including South Africa, Australia, and the UK, will actively participate via the web, sharing their own beloved canning recipes and techniques, creating a truly global dialogue around food preservation.

Your Guide to Participating in Can-It-Forward Day

Whether you’re a seasoned preserver or just beginning your canning adventure, International Can-It-Forward Day, presented by Jarden Home Brands, offers numerous exciting ways to get involved and celebrate the joy of the Ball brand mason jar.

  • Tune In to the Live Webcast: Your Virtual Classroom

    Don’t miss a moment of the expert demonstrations and discussions! Tune in to the live webcast of canning demonstrations on the official Ball brand home canning website, www.FreshPreserving.com, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM EST. This is your chance to learn directly from the best, get your questions answered in real time through the integrated chat function, and even participate in the exciting celebrity mason jar auction. Prepare to be inspired by new recipes and invaluable preserving tips.

  • Host a Home Canning Party: Share the Joy

    Gather your friends and family on Saturday, August 1st, and host your very own home canning party! It’s a wonderful way to share the experience, learn together, and create lasting memories. New and experienced canners alike can visit www.FreshPreserving.com for the official International Can-It-Forward Day recipes, along with dozens of other trusted canning recipes. Transform your kitchen into a hub of culinary creativity and enjoy the satisfaction of preserving together.

  • Engage on Social Media: Connect with the Canning Community

    Share your passion for home canning with the world! Everyone is encouraged to showcase their home canning creations, tips, and tricks across social media platforms using the official hashtag #canitforward. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of fellow preservers, exchange ideas, and celebrate your achievements. Engage directly with Jarden Home Brands about Ball brand home canning products and more via their active social media channels:

    • Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BallCanning
    • Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BallCanning
    • Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/BallCanning
    • Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BallCanning
    • YouTube: www.YouTube.com/BallCanning

    Share your jars, your process, and your finished products – let the world see what “Made From Here” means to you!

The Enduring Benefits of Home Canning

Participating in Can-It-Forward Day is an invitation to embrace a lifestyle that is both rewarding and sustainable. Home canning offers a multitude of benefits: it empowers you to take control of your diet, reduces reliance on processed foods, and allows you to enjoy seasonal produce year-round. It’s an economical choice that saves money on groceries and minimizes food waste. Beyond the practical aspects, fresh preserving is a skill that enriches lives, fosters creativity, and creates meaningful connections – to our food, our communities, and our heritage.

Join the Global Celebration!

Can-It-Forward Day is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community, tradition, and the simple pleasure of creating something wonderful with your own hands. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with experts, discover new recipes, and become part of a global movement dedicated to the joy of fresh preserving. Whether you watch the webcast, host a party, or share your creations online, join Jarden Home Brands and the Ball canning community on August 1st to celebrate what “Made From Here” means to you!