We Are Hiring! Join Our Winning Team!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Are you interested in a new career but are unsure of where to begin? Stop what you are doing and check out this article! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are looking for exceptional new members to join our winning team! With more than 130 stores, we have positions available for part-time and full-time employment. Our Capital District New York stores are hosting four upcoming job fairs; February 27th, March 19th, April 9th, & April 30th. Stop by the store for an on the spot interview and begin you career with us! Take a look at the list below to find a store hosting the job fair.
You may be wondering why you should work for us or what we have to offer, and the answer is that we have SO much to offer! Some benefits include tuition reimbursement, a 401k plan, a teammate wellness program, flexible scheduling options, room for career growth, and more! We also celebrate diversity, equity, inclusion, new ideas, and creativity within our company.
Still on the fence about applying for a job with us? See some of the incredible teammates below who you would be working with. Not only do these teammates go above and beyond for our customers, but they are outstanding leaders and role models for their fellow co-workers. We are honored to have them on our team!
In addtion to the stores at the end of this blog, we are beyond excited to announce the grand reopenings of two previous Shop Rite locations that will be turning into Market 32s. The Niskayuna location (store 191) will be the hiring location for the Nott Street Store. Hudson Valley (store 181) will be the hiring location for the North Greenbush store. The dates and times are as follows:
Begins Monday, February 25th through the end of May.
Monday- 9am-5pm
Tuesday- 9am-5pm
Wednesday- 9am-5pm
Thursday- 11am-7pm
Friday- 9am-5pm
Saturday 9am-3pm
Julian Carden
Wilton Market 32
Julz Carden has been with the company since July of 2023. She has a bubbly and easy-going personality and is always willing to help out in difficult situations. She loves interacting with customers and engaging in small talk with them to create a more personal shopping experience. In fact, she has certain guests that look for her specifically to cash out their groceries. Two things Julz likes about this company are the growth opportunities that we have to offer and how you can be anything you want to be as long as you keep your mind open and are working toward that goal.
Jarrett Dyer
Guilderland Market 32
Jarrett started as a part time produce clerk in Altamont Ave. In September of 2022, he became the Assistant Team Lead in Guilderland. From there, he became a temporary produce manager in August of 2022. He just continues to grow as a person and a manager!
When discussing his career at Price Chopper/Market 32, Jarrett stated, “I love what I do everyday and I like a challenge. I take pride in my work and enjoy making the department look amazing!”
Marilez MacDormand
Altamont Avenue Market 32
Marilez M. is our bakery rockstar at Altamont Ave. Marilez has been with Market 32 for seven years. The team loves to work with her because she always comes to work with a positive attitude and she is ready to work together every day. Marilez is a friend to everyone around her, especially the our guests. Customers love that she is so helpful and knowledgeable and describe her as having the “sweetest smile.” Her favorite part of her day is knowing the customers are leaving happy and looking forward to seeing her again.
Bill Rademacher
Glenmont Market 32
Bill has been with the company for 19 years and has worked in a few of the Albany stores over the years. He is such a friendly individual who is always ready to work and loves to be helpful. Bill was recently featured in an award presented to Glenmont, known as the ARC NY (A Respectful Commitment). Bill is shown below!
Henry Pipino
Clifton Park Plaza Market 32
Henry started his journey with Market 32 on January 1st, 2023. He was a regular here for lunch and one day ended up talking with our hiring manager who hired him on the spot! He landed in the seafood department where he’s learned the ins and outs and great customer service. A few things Henry loves are the customers, teammates, cleanliness and the convenience of the store being local to his home. He is one of our hardest workers and even picks up shifts in Deli, Produce and Meat Department when he has some extra time to help on his days off. Henry has aspirations of becoming a manager in the seafood department, and with his work ethic he will make it there in no time. He is a great teammate and someone who the team can rely on if we ever need anything. Co-Manager Nick Larose states, “Since I became the Co-Manager here at Market 32 store #250, Henry and I have become great friends and talk regularly whenever we see each other. He is a stellar teammate who has never missed a day and is always in a great mood when he comes in, which rubs off on the rest of the team to make a great work environment.”
Dominic Collar
Johnstown Price Chopper
Dominic has been working with us since April of 2019. He first started in Produce and has since moved into the Grocery department doing various jobs. Dom is the type of person who can always put a smile on your face and customers look for him daily. He worked for us back in 1975 as a part time cashier and left to pursue another career, but found his way back to us, he says “he wished he never left”.
Aubrey King
Glenville Market 32
Aubrey King is a Sales and Service Team Leader in #38 Glenville and has been with Price Chopper/ Market 32 for 20 years. The thing Aubrey enjoys most about working at Price Chopper is the relationships that she has developed with her fellow teammates and customers. Part of Aubrey’s job currently as Sales and Service Leader (SSL) is to hire new talent for the store and she is the welcoming face for all new teammates. Aubrey loves training new teammates and making them feel welcomed in their new roles.
We are very lucky to have Aubrey working in this building- Aubrey’s catch phrase for the whole store is, “Shine Bright Like a Diamond” and Aubrey sure does just that!
Misty Parkis
Glenville Market 32
Misty Parkis is a part time food service teammate in #38 Glenville. Misty has been with the company for 5 years. Misty says that she enjoys working for the company and says that working with the right team and supportive management you can thrive and grow as a person and employee. When Misty is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her 2 children and husband.
Misty is an asset to this store, and a bright and shining light. Customers and teammates love her and her positive attitude.
Take a look at the list below for participating job fair dates & stores.
February 27th & March 19th
Participating Stores:
001 Eastern Parkway (Schenectady)
028 Hamilton Square (Guilderland)
175 Altamont Ave (Schenectady)
183 Guilderland
191 Niskayuna
224 Colonie
003 Brunswick
036 Cohoes
038 Glenville
039 Wilton
094 Mechanicville
112 Clifton Park Shoppers World
138 Market Bistro (Latham)
158 Route 50 (Saratoga)
184 Malta
245 Watervliet
023 Madison Ave (Albany)
250 Clifton Park Plaza
45 Delaware Ave (Albany)
111 East Greenbush
133 Westgate (Albany)
159 – Bethlehem
181 – Hudson Valley Plaza
188 – Albany-Shaker Road
196 – Glenmont
April 9th & April 30th
Participating Stores:
001 Eastern Parkway (Schenectady)
028 Hamilton Square (Guilderland)
175 Altamont Ave
183 Guilderland
191 Niskayuna
224 Colonie
003 Brunswick
036 Cohoes
038 Glenville
039 Wilton
040 Glen St. (Queensbury)
094 Mechanicville
158 Route 50 (Saratoga)
112 Clifton Park Shoppers World
138 Market Bistro (Latham)
157 Granville
170 Lake George Village
245 Watervliet
247 Lake George-Warrensburg
249 Fort Edward
250 Clifton Park Plaza
023 Madison Ave (Albany)
045 Delaware Ave (Albany)
111 East Greenbush
133 Westgate
159 Bethlehem
181 Hudson Valley Plaza
188 Albany-Shaker Road
196 Glenmont
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy pumpkin season! Now is the perfect time to have a friendly pumpkin carving competition with friends and family or decorating the house with mini pumpkins and gourds. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are proud to source all our pumpkins from local farms in our region each season. We get our pumpkins from many of the same farms who supply us with favorites like sweet corn and tomatoes in the summertime. Additionally, we also source our hard squashes, gourds, and ornamentals from local farms here in the Northeast during the fall. Find out below which farmers we are highlighting this pumpkin picking season!
Reeves Farms, Baldwinsville NY
Reeves Farms has been a partner for over 30 years, growing everything from organic zucchini to pie pumpkins. By using sustainable farming methods, Reeves Farms is proud to offer fresh berries and vegetables as well. Be sure to grab some fresh produce after heading to the pumpkin patch!
AJ Farms, Melrose NY
The Wertman Family Farm began in Colonie, NY four generations ago. As the business started to prosper, the family decided to move to Melrose, NY where much more farmland is present. Not only do they have fresh produce and stunning flowers, but they are also experts in growing pumpkins and hard squashes.
Hoover’s Produce, Port Trevorton PA
We are proud to have been a partner with Hoover’s Produce for over 25 years! They have an array of pumpkins for carving and decoration that are perfect for this pumpkin season.
Plainville Farm, Hadley MA
A third-generation farm in Hadley, Massachusetts, Plainville Farm specializes in pumpkins, asparagus, hard squash, and their famous butternut squash. We are proud to be partners for the past seven years!
Interested in learning more about these four partners? Visit their websites below!
Next time you buy a pumpkin from your local Price Chopper and Market 32, you know that it was grown locally. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a pumpkin carving kit while you are here!
Happy Pumpkin Spice Season!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
What a beautiful time of year this is! The weather is cooler, the leaves are falling, and there are pumpkins wherever we look. Even better, it is officially pumpkin spice season! Pumpkin spice items line the shelves at Price Chopper and Market 32, local coffee shops are advertising pumpkin spice lattes, and maybe you have even started carving pumpkins. We are surrounded by pumpkin spice, but how can one complain? Pumpkin spice has become so popular in the last two decades that Merriam Webster put the term “pumpkin spice” in the dictionary! Surprisingly enough, pumpkin is actually not in pumpkin spice. It is the lovely blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves that give us a feeling of happiness, warmth, and most of all, nostalgia.
At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a variety of pumpkin spice products ranging from PICS pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin spice coffee creamer, and pumpkin spice baking products. Be sure to check out some pumpkin spice recipes we love below.
Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting: The aroma of this delicious spice cake will fill your hearts (and bellies) with love! Be sure to grab spice cake mix and other PICS baking goods in our baking aisles!
Pumpkin Soup: This creamy, filling soup is the perfect fall lunch or dinner. Pair with Market 32 bread from the bakery section.
Pumpkin Pie Roll Ups: Whether you need an easy dessert for your guests or want to surprise the kids with a fun breakfast, these pumpkin pie roll ups are a favorite!
Pumpkin Shandy: All this talk about pumpkin foods, but how about this pumpkin drink? This easy five-ingredient drink is perfect for your guests, or just a relaxing night at home.
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes: These mini pumpkin cheesecakes are the best dessert for any fall party!
Harvest Chili: Hear us out on this one…pumpkin pie spice in your chili. Don’t knock it ‘till you try it! Besides, what’s better to have on a cold fall night than warm chili?
Coffee 101: Which is Your Favorite?
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
It’s Sunday morning at your local coffee shop, and the person in front of you orders a coffee you cannot even pronounce. You quickly Google what in the world they just said, but still do not understand the various types of coffee. You may be wondering, “Aren’t these all the same?” We get it. We have been there and are here to help! Whether you are a black coffee drinker or a “Caramel Macchiato with Extra Cold Foam and Light Ice” kind-of person, we got you covered. Any confusion is sure to be cleared up after reading below!
Regular Brewed Coffee: What is “brewed coffee?” Brewed coffee simply contains coffee grounds that are brewed (hot water poured onto the coffee beans) and then filtered. Whether you like hot coffee with cream and sugar or just plain black, we have an option for everyone at Price Chopper and Market 32! Check out our collection at the end of this blog.
Iced Cold Brew: Contrary to iced coffee that was originally hot, iced cold brew is never hot. Iced cold brew is brewed from 12-24 hours and then steeped at room temperature. After this process is finished, the cold brew is diluted with water and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. This type of coffee has more caffeine and a smoother taste than normal iced coffee.
Espresso: Espresso can be taken as a shot for a burst of energy or poured into your cup of coffee. Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is made by using finely ground coffee beans, hot water, and applying high pressure. The taste of espresso is very strong and bold compared to other coffee.
Americano: When comparing an Americano coffee to regular hot coffee, there appears to be no difference, however, there is a slight discrepancy between the two. Americano coffee simply contains espresso and water, whereas regularly brewed coffee are coffee beans that have been filtered.
Latte: A hot latte consists of milk foam at the top of the cup, a large amount of steamed milk in the middle, and then espresso on the bottom. The milk used for a latte is steamed and frothed to create a delicious, thick foam. While an iced latte has the same ingredients, espresso is simply poured over chilled milk. Any type of milk can be used to create a latte, including non dairy almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk.
Cappuccino: While a latte and cappuccino are very similar, the ratio of milk is what differentiates the two. Cappuccino ratios are 1:1:1 with equal parts of milk foam at the top, steamed milk in the middle, and espresso at the bottom.
Macchiato: A hot macchiato contains espresso at the bottom and a lot of steamed milk on top. That is it! An iced macchiato is the same thing except a lot of chilled milk is added on top of the espresso.
Of course, with any of these drinks, you can modify it to your liking. Whether you enjoy a sweet syrup mixed in or whip cream on top, these drinks can be tailored to anyone’s preferences. The next time you hear the person in front of you order a long-named drink, you won’t have to Google what they are asking for!
Interested in making the best latte? Check out this Iced Caramel Vanilla Latte from our YouTube Channel!
Fall is officially in full swing and mums is the word! Hardy mums that is.
Unlike most flowers, mums are ideal for fall. They bring a classic colorfulness and a fitting liveliness perfect for the season. Known by their botanical name, Chrysanthemums, these flowers are built to withstand winter’s toughest temperatures. Mums are one of our favorite items to partner with local growers for sourcing – summer is great but we get excited when cooler weather approaches!
Mums have many variations of sizes and colors. A full day of sun is preferred for mums to have a good bloom, but they can get by with at least half a day’s worth of sun. Maximize the blooms longer by watering them directly at soil level. As blossoms die off, cut the blossom and the stem beneath it down to the next leaf on the stem. This simple trick will allow new buds to develop, and eventually the plant will flower again during the fall season.
Hardy mums are commonly seen in many colors such as sunny yellows, pinks, mauves, and orange-reds. The orange and red variations are the most fitting for the autumn season! Hardy mums may not be as bright as spring flowers, but their presence is a very appealing addition to an otherwise fading fall garden. Some hardy mums even change colors over time. “Will’s Wonderful” mums start bright red in the summer, with a touch of yellow in the center. Then, as they age, the yellow slowly spreads across the petals, eventually taking over the flower leaving only tips of red.
Our Northeast climate provides an ideal agricultural canvas for planting and growing fall mums. We’re proud to have been partnering with Casertano’s Greenhouses in Cheshire, CT and Kurt Weiss Greenhouses in Moriches, NY for over a decade, allowing us to source our Northeast-grown mums each year!
Hardy mums make a great decorative piece for fall: Get yours at your local Price Chopper or Market 32 before it’s too late!
Mia Teal
Marketing Coordinator, Paid Media
Happy National Coconut Day! Yes, coconuts actually have their own day – June 26th. This tropical fruit may have you dreaming of being on an island, piña colada in hand, and not a care in the world. Whether you are reading this in your office building, by a pool, or a tropical beach if you are lucky, we have everything coconut-facts and tropical fruit recipes!
A question that many may wonder is whether a coconut is a fruit, nut, or seed. While the word “nut” is in “coconut,” that can be misleading. Coconuts are considered a fruit that have a hard shell enclosing the coconut seed.
Coconuts need high humidity and frequent irrigation to grow and survive which is why they flourish in tropical regions. Today, the Philippines are the largest producers of coconuts, with Indonesia and India closely behind. In the United States, coconuts grow in Hawaii and Florida. While the origin of coconuts is still up for debate, there have been fossil records of coconuts found in New Zealand dating back to 15 million years ago!
Another surprising fact about coconuts is that there are different varieties of them. A few of many are listed below!
- Malayan Yellow Dwarf Coconuts: These coconuts were first found in the Malaysian area between 1800 and 1900. When they are still immature, these fruits will appear a pale green but eventually turn a pale yellow to brown color.
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut: Popular in Florida, the Fiji Dwarf Coconut tree is known to grow copious amounts of coconuts while being remarkably short in size.
- VHC1 Coconut: This coconut tree is incredibly large and produces the fruit once every four years!
- Macapuno Coconut: The meat of this coconut is jelly-like due to natural mutations and are primarily grown throughout Asia. Interestingly enough, the Macapuno Coconut is considered a delicacy where they are grown in Asia and are much higher in price compared to other coconuts.
Coconut is widely used in baking and cooking, and coconut water has some great health benefits. Coconut flour is a great alternative for those that are gluten free and coconut milk works for those who are lactose intolerant. Additionally, many yogurts, creamers, and whipped cream are now made with coconut milk. When it comes to cooking, many people use coconut oil for cooking and frying, and there are even varieties of coconut spray to coat the bottom of your frying pan for a lower calorie option.
While coconut meat is relatively high in calories and fat and should be eaten in moderation, coconut water is great for the body. Many athletes drink coconut water for rehydration after an intense workout, but there is no evidence that supports the fact that coconut water is more hydrating than plain water. Also, coconut water has between 45 to 80 calories per eight ounces. Unsweetened and unflavored coconut water tends to have less calories than its counterparts.
Today, many beauty products are made from coconuts to moisturize the skin and hair. Who knew that these little fruits could have so many benefits other than just being delicious!
Interested in incorporating coconut in your cooking and baking? Check out some fun recipes below!
Coconut-Ginger Key Lime Bars: These cool, refreshing bars are the perfect way to celebrate National Coconut Week!
Tropical Daiquiri: Nothing screams “National Coconut Week” like this Tropical Daiquiri! Be sure to pick up PICS coconut milk. Honey, and ice at your local Price Chopper or Market 32.
Magic Brownie Bars: Name a better combo than coconut and chocolate. Well?
Instant Pot® Coconut-Curry Lentils with Tofu & Vegetables: This is the best time of the year for fresh produce! Mix your veggies in with tofu, coconut milk, lentils, and more for this hearty lunch or dinner.
Happy National Coconut Day!
Emerging COVID-19 Treatments
COVID-19 continues to remain prevalent and affects people daily across the globe. Fortunately, there are some FDA-approved treatments and Emergency Use Authorization medications available to treat COVID-19. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) treatments are medications that are not FDA-approved but are allowed to be used under certain conditions in the US.
FDA-approved Treatments
The FDA has approved an antiviral drug called Veklury also known as remdesivir. This drug is administered intravenously (IV) and is for adults and certain children with COVID-19. Remdesivir works by stopping the virus from replicating in the body.
Another drug that is approved by the FDA for certain hospitalized adults is called Olumiant also known as baracitinib. This drug is an oral medication that works as an immune modulator that helps to block the virus from entering and infecting lung cells. Baracitinib is also used as an EUA medication in certain hospitalized children with COVID-19.
Emergency Use Authorization Treatments
There are several treatments available for adults and children called monoclonal antibodies that are IV medications. Monoclonal antibodies work by helping your immune system recognize and respond to the virus.
Two oral medications are available for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Both medications are antiviral medications that help to prevent the virus from replicating.
One of the medications is called Paxlovid also known as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. Paxlovid may be used in adults and children older than 12 years old who weigh at least 88 pounds. The other oral antiviral medication is called Lagevrio also known as molnupiravir. This medication is only used in adults.
Which treatment is right for me?
If you develop symptoms that could be COVID-19, get tested immediately. If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for any treatments. Some people may not qualify for certain treatments. Your healthcare provider will be able to determine which treatment option is best for you.
Fabulous, Fudgy Brownies & More!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
There is nothing better than taking a bite out of a warm, fudgy brownie with creamy vanilla ice cream on top. Brownies are so good that not only do they have one national day, but they have two! December 8th is National Brownie Day and February 10th is National Have a Brownie Day. Since today is December 8th, Price Chopper and Market 32 have so many ways for you to celebrate that you may not even realize. Some of our options include freshly baked brownies from the bakery, brownie mixes in the bakery aisle, brownie ice cream, brownie energy bars, and more! Be sure to check out our fantastic brownie recipes at the bottom of this blog.
For those of you that may be interested in making your own brownies either from scratch or from a mix, did you know that there are so many add-in options? While walnuts are the most popular addition to brownies, take a look at some other choices below!
Nuts: Chopped Walnuts, pecans, and almonds add the perfect amount of crunch to the gooey-goodness! Sprinkle in coconut for some extra flavor and sweetness.
Morsels (Milk/Dark/White Chocolate or Peanut Butter): Morsels are a great addition to add on top of the brownies or directly in the batter. If you are feeling like taking your brownies to the next level, try adding in all four morsel flavors above!
Candy Pieces or Candy Bar Chunks: You cannot go wrong with adding in candy pieces or candy bar chunks. Try M&Ms, Reese’s Pieces, peppermint pieces (perfect for the Holidays!), heath bar pieces, etc.
Peanut Butter: Name a better combo than peanut butter and chocolate…If you are a peanut butter lover, try adding in ½ cup of melted peanut butter either in your brownies, on top of the brownies, or both. Microwave for no longer than 30 seconds. There is also the option of chopping up Reese’s Peanut butter cups for the batter.
Nutella: Adding Nutella to your brownie mix is a must! Just like adding peanut butter, microwave ½ cup of melted Nutella for 30 seconds and add in the batter or on top of the brownies.
Cookie Pieces: Crush up some cookies and add to the mix. Crushed Oreos work perfectly in or on top of brownies.
Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are perfect to add in your brownie mix or to place on top of the batter before baking. Please keep an eye on the marshmallows as they bake – You do not want them to brown or burn!
Caramel Syrup: If you have never had caramel in your brownies, stop what you are doing and pick up some caramel syrup and brownie mix! It will not disappoint.
Frosting, Powdered Sugar, or Fruit: We have so many frosting options in our baking section. If you rather keep it simple, powdered sugar and fruit are great add-ons as well!
Magic Brownie Bars: Only five ingredients? Yes, please! The mix of chocolate with nuts will instantly bring a smile to your face!
Brookie Muffins: On a time-crunch? All you need is your favorite brownie mix, nonstick baking spray, and peanut butter cookie dough!
Red Velvet Brownies with Cookies & Cream Frosting: Bring some holiday cheer in your home with these delicious Red Velvet Brownies!
Creative Cookies for the Holidays!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Cookies, cookies and more cookies! The holidays are quickly approaching, but do not panic! Whether you are baking cookies for a holiday party, an office cookie swap, or getting your baking out of the way now and freezing everything, Price Chopper and Market 32 have you covered. We have all the best ingredients needed to make cookies from scratch. However, we understand that finding time to make homemade cookies can be troublesome. Not only do we have an abundance of cookie mixes in our baking aisles, but we also have a wide variety of gourmet cookies from our bakery department. Our bakery teammates are readily available to assist and answer any questions you may have. Be sure to check out our outstanding variety of cookies that are out on display. The collection of our gourmet cookies is located at the end of this blog.
Considering today is National Cookie Day, we want to provide you with some delicious cookie recipes from our website. These are perfect for the holidays, or just to try something new. Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s celebrate National Cookie Day the right way – by enjoying our favorite cookies of course!
Hot Chocolate Cookies: Can these cookies get any cuter? Tip: Pick up PICS hot cocoa mix to enjoy while serving these cookies!
Almond Macaroons: With just six ingredients, these macaroons are simple, nutty, and a great addition to your cookie platter!
Classic Holiday Sugar Cookies: What’s a holiday without decorating sugar cookies? Be sure to grab icing, sprinkles, and any other candy the kids will love in our baking aisles.
Pumpkin Cookies with Orange Glaze: Pumpkin and fresh orange are the perfect pair. Surprise your guests with a different type of cookie this holiday season.
Cranberry, Lemon, & Pistachio Shortbread Holiday Cookies: The flavors in this cookie are unmatched. Click on the link to watch a short clip on how to make this incredible recipe!
Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, & Dried Cherry Cookies: There is a lot going on in this cookie! To add even more to the batter, feel free to roll in chopped walnuts or pecans.
Happy holidays from Price Chopper and Market 32!
It’s Canning Season!
One of the best parts of summer is easy access to an abundance of fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables. However, when the colder months roll around we are once again left deprived of these natural delights. Enter canning! Canning is a method of preservation, and the best way to enjoy summertime vegetables throughout the colder months.
Canning is an essential and safe, if done properly, method to food preservation. The canning process involves placing foods such as fruits, vegetables, jams, jellies, pickles, and other preserves, in jars and heating them to a temperature that eliminates micro-organisms that cause the food to spoil. During the heating process, air is driven out of the jar and as it cools a vacuum seal is formed. This seal prevents air from getting back into the jar, preventing these micro-organisms from contaminating the food and leading to successful preservation.
With fall fast approaching, we’d like to share some home canning tips to help you have as much success as possible this year. If your garden has been a success this year, you’ll probably have a good amount of vegetables to can! And if you’re canning from store-bought items, make sure to read your ingredient list closely and beforehand to see if ingredients need to be prepped before the canning process. For example, does your watermelon rind need to be soaked in brine overnight before you can begin the pickling process?
When it comes to filling, experts have said that sterilizing jars and lids is not necessary because all bacteria will be eliminated in the process. Therefore, you can reuse jars from previous years, as long as they are in good condition. You’ll just need new lids to ensure a tight seal. Jars should be washed and dried before they are filled. It’s important to soak your new lids in hot water for ten minutes to soften the rubber edge, and help the lids grip on the top of the jar when the rings are screwed on.
Once the jars have been successfully processed, let them sit, untouched for at least an hour. As the jar cools the lids will sink into the center and you may hear a “ping” sound, indicating the lids have sealed. Store your jars away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place. Processed foods typically are good for a year, although many items will not spoil for a longer period of time. If you see mold, discoloration, or smell something funny, discard the food immediately. If a jar’s seal has been compromised discard of the food immediately, and ultimately, when in doubt, throw it out.
What’s basically the main ingredient in canning? Mason jars! We have them: Order yours from us here.
Happy canning!