Canning Conundrum: The Great Jar Shortage of 2020

As the pandemic continues to shape our daily lives, many of us have turned to gardening and canning as a way to preserve the fruits of our labor. But, as it turns out, the surge in demand for home canning supplies has led to a shortage of jars, lids, and other essential equipment.

Canning supplies are flying off the shelves

“It’s like the toilet paper scene all over again,” says Shawndra Tuomisto, an experienced canner from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Tuomisto, who has been canning for years, found herself struggling to find the supplies she needed in local stores or online.

The demand for canning supplies has been unprecedented, with many new gardeners and canners entering the scene. According to Newell Brands, one of the largest suppliers of sealer jars and lids, the demand has resulted in supply constraints, extended lead times, and limited product availability.

Gardening seeds were in high demand earlier this year

The shortage of canning supplies is a direct result of the surge in gardening and canning interest sparked by the pandemic. As people began to stockpile seeds and gardening supplies earlier this year, it was only a matter of time before the demand for canning supplies would skyrocket.

“Starting back in the spring when the pandemic broke out and people decided they weren’t going to eat out as much or visit the grocery store as much, we couldn’t keep enough seeds in stock,” says Rob Van Dyk, the owner of a grocery store in Thunder Bay. “And now I think there’s a direct relationship with what we’re seeing right now with the canning supplies.”

Pickling salt is another hot commodity

In addition to jars and lids, pickling salt and pectin are also in high demand. Van Dyk says he’s having trouble keeping up with the demand for these essential canning ingredients.

For those who have managed to get their hands on the necessary supplies, the experience of canning has been a rewarding one. Peter Orasi, a new gardener who decided to take up canning for the first time, says it was a “blast” making tomato sauce and salsa with his family.

Canning with family is a great way to bond

As for Tuomisto, she put out a call for jars on social media and was overwhelmed by the response. Friends, neighbors, and even parents of kids who ride on the school bus she drives came through with supplies they found in their basements.

“I’d be dropping the kids off at home, and they were bringing me jars at the bus,” she says, adding that there’s a give-and-take to the exchange. “They know they’ll get stuff back in the jars.”

For those who are struggling to find canning supplies, Tuomisto’s story is a testament to the power of community and resourcefulness. As we navigate the challenges of the pandemic, it’s heartening to see people coming together to support one another.

Home canning is a labor of love

In the end, the shortage of canning supplies is a small price to pay for the joy and satisfaction that comes from preserving our own food. As we look to the future, let’s hope that this surge in interest in gardening and canning will lead to a more sustainable and self-sufficient way of living.