Canning not just for grandma anymore

SEATTLE, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Home canning, fueled by movements to eat more fruits and vegetables, save money and eat locally is gaining favor among younger people, a Seattle Web site says.

A survey of its community by Allrecipes.com, a food Web site that receives 300 million hits annually, indicates the demographic of canners is shifting from baby boomers to Generations X and Y -- and nearly half of canners are age 40 or younger.

Moreover, almost half of canners live in suburban areas, signaling that canning is no longer reserved to rural communities -- or grandma, the Web site says.

As the recession progresses and food prices continue to rise, 61 percent of canners say their greatest motivation is saving money.

Canning has traditionally been a family tradition passed down by generations, but younger people are looking for canning advice on the Internet. Allrecipes.com says its canning page views increased by 109 percent since last year.

Allrecipes.com is supporting the national "Canvolution" by partnering with Canning Across America, a grassroots canning movement started by food writers, bloggers, cooks, gardeners and food lovers to revitalize the popularity of canning as a way to make it easier to "strive for five," serving of fruits and vegetables.

No survey details were provided.