Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.
Thank you for listening in.
A few weeks ago, Frances and I were discussing the Great Depression, the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930’s, which started in 1929. One of the questions that came up was food supplies and production. This led to a great discussion on the art of canning, a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in airtight containers.
As our world faces a new global challenge, Frances’s memories remind us that working together we can overcome challenges, such as food storage, production and safety. So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com.
I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.
Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from J.R.R. Tolkien : “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
Tea Toast & Trivia 
8 replies on “Season 2.Episode 22: Frances on The Art of Canning”
As I mentioned on your Instagram, we really owe a debt of gratitude to your mother’s generation for our tradition of home gardens and canning. Their resourcefulness serves as an inspiration. In the last few years, a modern version of urban Victory Gardens is manifesting across communities who wish access to healthy, organic foods. Neighborhoods pitch in and share the harvest and sometimes sell surplus for extra income. I canned when I was a young mother, and some of my daughters garden and can to this day. Your mother is a precious repository of stories, not only for your family, but for all of us. Thank you! P.S. You must google “bushel basket” images. They’re still in use today 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I found the bushel basket – at least 1/4 bushel basket. https://www.homehardware.ca/en/wooden-14-bushel-basket/p/5056020. I remember bushel baskets in the apple and fruit groves. Everyone is going back to the kitchen these days so guess what is being requested more and more – flour to make homemade bread and cookies. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, kitchens become our go-to place. It is embedded in our DNA. Frances said the most important room in any house in the 1930’s was the kitchen. I am enjoying my discussions with Frances. We must tell our stories, for if we don’t – who will? So glad that you are part of my journey.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m so glad too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I did some canning of fruits and bean salads in my early 20’s. It’s a lot of work.
My grandparents had a root cellar in the basement. They kept potatoes, beets, turnips and carrots in there all winter.
They had 2 massive ceramic crocks. They were always filled with sauerkraut, which was an eternal fermentation.
Fab post guys!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Canning is a LOT of work! I can only imagine how good that sauerkraut tasted. Delicious and nourishing. This is the second of the podcast trio for Frances on the Great Depression. I will be posting another podcast tonight, which is so in keeping with what is happening. She remembers the transition from the wealth of the 1920’s to the poverty of the 1930’s. How working together made all the difference. We “taped” this a few months back never thinking that would be facing a global challenge.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Well, it’s timely now!
I’ve been freezing a lot of dinners, but if the electricity goes out, the canned goods, root cellared, fermented, salted and dried foods will survive while my dinners melt.
LikeLiked by 3 people
How very well said. I can’t imagine what it would be like without refrigeration. Well, actually I can – our fridge gave out one day. Yikes! We were without a fridge for 3 days and thought it was a tragedy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know! I live in fear of my washer and dryer breaking down during the lock down.
Take care! I’ll be by for the new podcast later!
LikeLiked by 3 people