Grow and Preserve

I've had a couple of folks share their concerns that these jars are made in China. I called Azure to see if they could explain why they made this choice. I was personally quite satisfied with their answer, but they agreed to let me share it with you so you could make your own decision. While on the phone with them, I also asked whether there was any lead content in the jars. She said, "absolutely no lead".

Here's the follow-up email she sent me:

Here is the statement we discussed by phone:


We did extensive due diligence on where we could source glass jars that fit our stringent specifications. They are made in Asia (by a Taiwanese company who has a plant just across the border in China) because they needed to meet the rigorous specifications for commercial canning, not just home canning, as we are using the glass in our own canning facility. There are no US manufacturers who were able to meet the specifications we required for commercial canning. We were looking for zero breakage in shock tests for a 150° change in temperature. Down the road, our intent is to find a glass manufacturer who can meet the requirements we have. Right now, the only US company we found who may be able to meet the jar specs in the future is not able to discuss potential production until 2026. However, we will likely continue to have jars that are made in Asia, too, due to the extreme cost variants between US made and Asian made glass.


Yours in Healthy & Abundant Living,

Jessica H.
Azure Customer Care Team
Azure Standard 79709 Dufur Valley Rd
Dufur OR 97021 Ph. 971-200-8350
www.azurestandard.com

If you are interested in the jars, here is the direct link: www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/household-famil…

3 days ago | [YT] | 131

Grow and Preserve

If you've been thinking about getting the Presto Electric Canner, it is on sale (as of 8/13/2024) for $266.44, down from the $329 I paid for it. I've had mine since November 2022, and it is by far my go-to pressure canner. I choose it time and time again over my All American. Here's the link: amzn.to/3Al9dOr

1 month ago | [YT] | 85

Grow and Preserve

Hey folks! We are closing out July and heading into the Every Bit Counts Challenge for August 2024. This is the challenge that started my channel two years ago and will always be my favorite challenge.

I am planning to participate this year and post a video each Saturday. However, I do have a couple of close family members with significant health issues who need to be my first priority. I know that each and every one of you understands this. July has been a challenge to meet all of my obligations, and I have no idea what August will bring. I do expect I will need to travel, perhaps more than once. To that end, I have started my challenge several days early so that I can fill in for any days I may miss in August.

My favorite part of the challenge last year was the second weekly video all about your preservation accomplishments. I love seeing those emails come in. All the pictures of the beautiful jars, the neatly stacked pantries and freezers. That is the whole reason I started this channel...to promote and celebrate the skills and love for growing and preserving our own food. I am so sorry to say that I can't commit to that second weekly video this year. I do hope that you will continue to email me (carter@growandpreserve.com) with your pictures and lists of accomplishments. They make me smile, and I love knowing that you find as much joy in food preservation as I do.

With that big bummer, let's get on with the challenge. Food doesn't stop pouring in from the garden because I have other things on my plate! I will see you on Saturday for Opening Week.

xoxo,
Carter

1 month ago | [YT] | 177

Grow and Preserve

Remember to harvest your peppers (especially the hot ones!) early and often to encourage more production. The 3 jalapenos on the left are Jedi from Johnny's Seeds. The other 4 are Paquime from Totally Tomato. The cherry tomato in the center is a Sun Sugar from TrueLeaf Market. It was also the first cherry tomato to ripen in last year's garden.

Although last weekend's storms blew off the smaller peppers here, the rest were ready to be harvested today. Middle Tennessee and May 28 appears to be the opening day of the 2024 Summer harvest. Looking back at my 2023 notes, my first harvest (also jalapenos) was May 29, 2023.

I know my more Southern friends have been harvesting Summer crops for some time now. Do you remember roughly the date it started? Anyone else just starting to harvest this week? What about those of you in more northern climates...do you have a target date for the first Summer harvest? Leave it in a comment below.

Carter

3 months ago | [YT] | 55

Grow and Preserve

10 minutes, one pan. Sausage hash for dinner. Canned Hot Italian Sausage, canned hash browns, frozen peppers from last year's garden, dried cherry tomatoes from last year's garden, and shallots, green onions and basil from this year's garden.

Leftovers for breakfast tomorrow with a fried egg on top!

What's for dinner at your house tonight?

xoxo,
Carter

4 months ago | [YT] | 119

Grow and Preserve

Happy Saturday, all! I clicked a new button option when posting today's video, and now it's not showing up in subscription feeds. Sorry! Here it is. Enjoy your weekend!

Carter

4 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 11

Grow and Preserve

My week in jars! This is what came out of my dishwasher this week. Every now and then I like to let the clean jars pile up to get a visual of how much we're eating from the pantry. Looks like 25 jars this week, and I was out of town for a couple of those days! Do you know how many jars you went through this week?

5 months ago | [YT] | 137

Grow and Preserve

No cooking today! Two plumbers, two carpenters, and a painter!

8 months ago | [YT] | 113

Grow and Preserve

No video today, as David and I are enjoying some downtime. We wish you Joy, Peace and Happiness through this holiday season. May 2024 bring you many blessings and much love.

I'll be back next Saturday with a video to wrap up 2023 and prepare for the 2024 Pantry Challenge.

Until then...Merry Christmas to all.

Love, Carter, David and Izzy
December 23, 2023

8 months ago | [YT] | 256

Grow and Preserve

The HarvestRight Black Friday Sale starts today, November 1, 2023!

affiliates.harvestright.com/2471.html

I have been waiting for this sale to order mine. I bought the Medium unit in white, as shown in the picture, this morning!

Medium, Large and X-Large freeze dryers are $500 off for the Black Friday sale. Several of the accessories also show a discount.

Lead time is currently 2-3 weeks for delivery, but Matt says to expect that to increase as it gets later in the month.

I'm so looking forward to adding to my food preservation options.

If you've been thinking about getting a freeze dryer, this is the best sale of the year. I know they are expensive. I do. But if it is something you're ready to do, do it during this sale for the best deal.

I am a new HarvestRight affiliate. My link is above. It costs you nothing, but it does earn the channel a small commission. Thank you!

affiliates.harvestright.com/2471.html



Carter

10 months ago | [YT] | 40