Starting a food storage plan can be a daunting task. With all the options available, it can be difficult to know what to store. Perhaps you’ve looked at buying dehydrated or bulk foods, but have either been intimidated at the thought of repackaging and sealing the food yourself, or because it’s too expensive to buy in #10 cans. Depending on where you live, you may have another option available to you, and that’s visiting your local LDS Cannery. This is one of the ways to get the good deals on storage food. By volunteering a bit of your time, and canning the food yourself, you can save a lot of money and get quite a bit of storage food in just one afternoon.
Alternatively, you can opt to can a (relatively) small amount of food on a regular basis, which will help to slowly increase your food storage. When I last checked with the local cannery near me, the minimum amount that I had to can was however many cans were needed for a single bag of food. Keep in mind though, that a single bag of food can be 25 pounds or more.
Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons, are taught to prepare for emergencies by having a one-year food storage, as well as an immediate two-week supply of food, water, and money. The LDS canneries are also an excellent resource for Preppers looking to get good prices on staples for longer term storage. The centers are an integral part of the Church of The Latter-Day Saints welfare system.
Before you go, make sure that you call first to find out what days and times they are open to the public. When you go in, you will be dry canning large #10 cans of dried food with items that store anywhere from 5 to 20 years, depending on the food. Some of the things you can can are: various types of beans, powdered milk, rice, sugar, wheat, apples, carrots, oats, potatoes, pasta, flour and some pre-made soup blends. If you don’t want to can it yourself you may be able to simply purchase it, as some canneries allow you to do that as well, but will cost slightly higher since the work has been done for you.
Each cannery can be a bit different and they might enforce some different rules. For example, some canneries are members only, and others are not. Make sure to contact the cannery to set up an appointment and it is then you can ask about their policies. Be sure to ask about payment methods, various methods of packing, and let them know if it’s your first time, so they’ll know to have someone there that can show you how to work the equipment.
Don’t worry about the process being overly complicated, because it isn’t. You’ll probably be surprised on how easy it is to dry can yourself. You will be required to wear one of those funny little elastic shower caps and gloves, because food safety is important, but its actually a very simple process.
If you would like to see it done check out this video:
To find a cannery near you, try this site.
Another webpage where you can see a fairly recent list of canneries can be found here. Keep in mind that this is a forum and the information may disappear eventually.
I have been to the local cannery twice and found it to be a pleasant experience, filled with helpful people, and a great way to add to my food storage. Recently, however, there have been some changes. The following statement illustrates your need to check with your local cannery for clarification on services and product available.
“In all but 12 of the church’s 101 home storage centers in the U.S. and Canada, patrons will no longer self-can products, but they may purchase these same items pre-canned or prepackaged at no additional cost. The church currently operates 101 home storage centers in the United States and Canada where food storage items such as beans, dry milk, wheat, rice and sugar may be purchased. These changes have been considered for some time as the church has looked at the best way to provide home storage goods to church members efficiently. Much of the discussion regarding this issue has suggested that this change is due to food safety regulation. While it has been a factor, the concern expressed regarding that issue has been overstated.”
This tip was brought to you by the Preparedness Podcast and was written by Rob Hanus. Feel free to share it with your friends and family.
Rob Hanus is the author of the book “The Preparedness Capability Checklist” which is an easy-to-read-and-follow guide that is full of the most efficient methods for intelligent and deliberate prepping. Rob is also host of the Preparedness Podcast.
You can get the Rob’s book here:
http://www.thepreparednesspodcast.com/capability-checklist/
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Marjory Wildcraft is an Expedition Leader and Bioneer Blogger with The [Grow] Network, which is an online community that recognizes the wisdom of “homegrown food on every table.” Marjory has been featured as an expert on sustainable living by National Geographic, she is a speaker at Mother Earth News fairs, and is a returning guest on Coast to Coast AM. She is an author of several books, but is best known for her “Grow Your Own Groceries” video series, which is used by more than 300,000 homesteaders, survivalists, universities, and missionary organizations around the world.
COMMENTS(7)
The LDS canneries have been shut down by our government. Even Mormons who belong to the church cant dry pack anymore. They are only allowed to sell already packed food to their members. I do believe that this happened in the last month or two. I do know they used to (if you were a member) allow you to rent the machine that closes the metal cans so that you could do that at your own home. I don’t know if they still do that or not. Hello from Arizona!
Hi Amber,
Wow, that is pretty alarming that the LDS canneries were shut down – I wonder if that is across the entire US or just a local thing?
No need for alarm. In fact, no one should be surprised. With the gov’t imposing more and more regulation and putting their noses into everyone’s business, it’s not surprising that the LDS church threw in the towel and decided the hassle just wasn’t worth it. The same foods that were always available at the cannery, still are. Now, they’rer pre-canned. You don’t have to do anything but give the cannery people your list of items you want, pay for them, and load them in your car. Frankly, I like this arrangement better. The pre-filled #10 are only slightly more expensive. The savings in time is worth it to me. Check out my YouTube channel by the same name to learn how to cook with long term food storage…using items from the LDS cannery.
We are lucky enough to have one 10 miles from our home. Though I have purchased, and will again, I do wish the choices were a bit more varied….and were non-GMO…but that’s not meant to be a harsh criticism or an extreme complaint….just a personal wish. =) Good article!