International Can-It Forward Day

International Can-It Forward Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of August. In 2026, this date falls on August 1. This day encourages people to take up home food preservation, learn safe canning techniques, and share the results with their communities. Created by the makers of Ball home canning products, the occasion combines free online demonstrations with a wider call to fill jars with seasonal produce while it is at its peak.

History of International Can-It Forward Day

Home canning has deep roots. The basic method of sealing food in airtight containers and heating it to preserve it was developed in 1809 by the French confectioner Nicolas Appert, who was responding to a need to keep food edible for long periods. Over the following century, glass jars with sealing lids made the technique practical for ordinary households, and the Ball brand became one of the best known names in the field after the Ball brothers began producing glass jars in the United States in the 1880s.

International Can-It-Forward Day itself is a much more recent creation. It was launched in the 2010s by Jarden Home Brands, the company that then made Ball brand home canning products from its headquarters in Fishers, Indiana. The early events were broadcast as a live webcast from the company’s facility, with experts demonstrating recipes and safe processing techniques across several hours. The name captured the founding idea: to share, or pay forward, the joy and benefits of canning to a new generation of cooks.

Why is International Can-It Forward Day important?

Beyond the satisfaction of a shelf lined with home-made jars, the day promotes genuinely useful habits. Preserving seasonal gluts cuts food waste by capturing produce that would otherwise spoil, and it lets households make the most of cheap, plentiful harvests. Home canning also builds a measure of self-sufficiency and resilience, giving people the skills to store food safely without relying on commercial supply chains.

Passing those skills between friends, families, and generations keeps a practical craft alive and turns a solitary kitchen task into something shared. The day also emphasizes food safety, teaching proper techniques to avoid spoilage or illness. It connects people to the rhythm of local harvests and encourages a more mindful approach to eating.

• Reduces food waste by preserving surplus produce at its peak freshness.
• Saves money by allowing bulk purchases of seasonal fruits and vegetables.
• Promotes self-sufficiency and food security through home preservation skills.
• Encourages community bonding through shared recipes, swaps, and workshops.
• Preserves nutritional value often better than freezing or long-term storage.

How to Celebrate International Can-It Forward Day

The whole point of the day is participation, so the best way to mark it is to get into the kitchen and preserve something. Beginners can start with water-bath canning of high-acid foods like jams, pickles, and salsas, which requires only clean jars with lids, a large pot, and a rack. More experienced canners might try pressure canning low-acid foods such as vegetables or meats, following tested recipes to ensure safety.

Share your creations with neighbors, friends, or local food banks. Use social media with the hashtag #CanItForwardDay to post photos of your jars, exchange tips, and inspire others to try canning. Many communities host workshops or virtual demonstrations, so check local farm stands, kitchen supply stores, or online canning groups for events.

• Learn a new canning recipe from a trusted source, such as Ball or the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
• Host a canning party with friends or family, each bringing a different type of produce.
• Donate a batch of canned goods to a local food pantry or senior center.
• Teach a child or beginner the basics of safe water-bath canning.
• Organize a neighborhood produce swap where everyone brings excess garden harvest to can together.

International Can-It Forward Day Dates