Fresh foods get all the attention, but canned foods deserve some love too—and rightfully so. Canned foods provide nutrient-dense, affordable, easy, and quick nourishment.
The canning process keeps food safe and nutritious for longer to ensure your pantry is loaded with a variety of foods at peak freshness throughout the year—all while cutting back on waste.
As you’ll find out in this article, canned foods are more than deserving of some love and appreciation, especially in February.
February is National Canned Food Month
Canned foods tend to get a bad rap, with some people feeling guilty zipping open a food can. But why? There are several reasons stemming from long-held myths and misconceptions about canned foods.
For example, it is widely assumed that canned foods barely offer any nutritional value. But according to research, “frequent canned food use is positively associated with nutrient-dense food group consumption and higher nutrient intakes in us children and adults.” The same goes for the myth that canning involves excess waste. When in fact, steel cans are the most recycled food package, and the canning process significantly reduces food waste.
The Canned Food Information Council declared February as National Canned Food Month in 1987 to help debunk these myths. The entire month is dedicated to everything canned—celebrating the perks and breaking down misguided assumptions.
Canned Food Recipes – It’s time to raid your pantry!
Are canned foods cuisine-worthy? Canned foods may be easy and quick to prepare, but this does not take anything away from their flavor and nutrition. They’re not a copout.
Whether you’re couped up at home, at the end of your food budget, or living off your pantry, you can quickly rustle up delectable meals using tinned ingredients.
If you have canned food items stocked in your pantry, make the most of ‘em with these simple and yummy recipes:
World’s Best Lasagna:
Any lasagna recipe is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. But why settle for average when you can whip up the “World’s Best Lasagna” in your kitchen? The recipe’s name is audacious, the preparation is easy, and the flavor is huge! Your palate is in for a treat, as you can predict from a 5/5* rating out of nearly 20,000 reviews.
Heart and Easy Chili Recipes:
Chili is an iconic American staple served everywhere from upscale to hole-in-the-wall restaurants. It’s hearty, it’s versatile, and with the right ingredients, it can be incredibly palatable. Ready to serve your chili in style? Here are a few canned food recipes to work up your culinary skills:
Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Whether you’re prepping for a movie night or a big day of football, Buffalo Chicken Dip is a tried-and-true snack. You’ll love crackers or celery sticks dripping with this tangy, creamy dip. It’s sure to get people lining up for more.
Tuna Recipes:
You probably have the perfect protein to whip up delicious and wholesome meals tucked away in your pantry. With the right recipe, you’ll find out that canned tuna is much more than sandwich filling.
Toad-in-the-Hole:
Never heard of this recipe? Don’t let the name fool you. Toad-in-the-hole is a lot more palatable than it sounds. This comforting classic is perfect for a quick family dinner. You only need to try it once to make it a dinner table favorite. Best part? It’s one of the easiest recipes to pull off.
Chicken Enchiladas V:
Looking for a quick and nourishing weeknight meal that everyone will enjoy? You’ll love knocking up this creamy and flavorful Chicken Enchiladas V recipe.
Falafel Burgers:
Hunkering for a burger fix? This mouthwatering falafel burger recipe is a definite keeper. It’s easy to make with canned chickpeas for a fresh and healthy but satisfying and flavorful dinner idea. The Falafel Burger recipe is also versatile; it’s vegetarian and vegan, and you can use gluten-free flour.
Places to Donate Canned Food in and Near Charlottesville
This National Canned Food Month calls for giving. If you have any extra canned foods stashed in your pantry, consider donating to people who need the help.
“We know only too well that what we are doing is nothing more than a drop in the ocean. But if the drop were not there, the ocean would be missing something.”
According to Feeding America, food insecurity and hunger are major economic issues adversely impacting more than 37 million Americans living in poverty. In Charlottesville, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 residents are struggling with food insecurity.
Food banks and local kitchens offer a vital avenue to help curb food insecurity. Donated foods distributed to struggling families can make the difference between a balanced dinner and a bare cabinet. Canned foods come in handy in this regard, thanks to their high nutritional value, ease of transportation, and long shelf life.
If you’re looking to observe National Canned Food Month by giving, here are some places to donate canned food in and near Charlottesville:
- Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry: According to the food pantry, their mission is “to give food with kindness and compassion to anyone who seeks assistance while providing an opportunity for volunteers to help their neighbors.”
- Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: BRAFB is part of Feeding America’s nationwide charity network. Every year, the food bank distributes food to over 23 million people experiencing food insecurity in 25 countries and 8 cities in the Blue Ridge area.
- The Emergency Food Network: The Emergency Food Network is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides timely hunger relief to Charlottesville and Albemarle County residents on the day of their request. The idea is to serve the local population when they most need help.
- UVA Community Food Pantry: Help spread the joy of canned food through your community this month (and beyond) by donating to the UVA Community Food Pantry.
- Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle: This is a long-standing (since 1977) independent local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates under the motto of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Canned food donations help provide nutritious meals to people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves.
How Will You Celebrate Canned Food Month?
The canning process helps preserve the flavor and nutritional value of foods at their peak freshness for longer. And with a wide variety of options available in the market, you can put your culinary skills to the test by experimenting with different recipes and meal ideas.
Outside your kitchen, canned foods remain a popular way to donate to those struggling with food insecurity—thanks to their convenience, affordability, and role in helping meet USDA Dietary Guidelines.
You only have to look beyond the myths and misconceptions about canned foods to really appreciate their benefits in our kitchens and in the community.
