We are so blessed to have a Home Storage Center so close to us! Growing up, I remember having to travel 2 hours to get to one and we have one 30 minutes away. This Home Storage Center has not only the dry pack portion, but also a wet pack. This wet pack allows for products such as meats, jams, soups, etc. to be completed there as part of the Family Canning process.
I recently got the opportunity to tour the Boise Home Storage Center. These are some interesting facts I took from this tour and wanted to share them with all of you:
Our Home Storage Center is the 6th largest in the church. It has been here for 40 years and will continue to serve us. The main products that are produced in our very own cannery are apricots, peaches, pears, some turkey chunks, and some beef chunks (our orchard picking efforts start the process off). The work that is done in our cannery is distributed to the other canneries and abroad as well. It was spoken that in the recent earthquake in Haiti that the Church was able to quickly get food to them and on the label of the peaches the label read made in Boise, ID. Our efforts are making a difference!
Getting Product
One of the purposes is to help us become self-reliant. If you are interested in getting your food in the #10 cans, then go to the orange door (it's open) and fill out a completed form for those products that you wish to purchase. Next you will need to work a short time (maybe 15-20 minutes) in the cannery canning other products in the dry pack canning room. This illustrates the self-reliant principle. (Note: If you want to just purchase the product in bulk then you can do that without having to work). You can pay by check or have exact cash.
Last year when there was a shortage on rice, there were long lines at the cannery of people wanting to get some or "stock up." Many non-members found out about this option and wanted to buy as well. There were many that were turned away because the food ran out for a time. Times have improved and now the dry pack is nearly empty. What can we take from that experience? This elder sister missionary really wanted to stress the importance of getting what we need for our families before times become difficult.
Image taken from Food Storage Plus.
You are able to check out a sealer for a week and take it home to seal your own cans. You can purchase cans and lids and oxygen absorbers to do this canning at home. You cannot bring in product to can/seal at the cannery.
What is Family Canning?
Family Canning allows you to bring in your own jars (or you can purchase them too) to fill them with the product that is made in the wet pack portion of the cannery. If you look at the Cannery schedule for the year, then you will know when they are doing what. The Cannery needs to be informed a week before any family canning is done.
Home Storage Center Hours
MWF 9 am to 3 pm
T, TH 9 am to 6 pm
Sat 9 am to noon (call to schedule an appointment)
Groups up to 12 can schedule a time on Tuesday or Thursday evenings or Saturday morning by appointment. You don't need to schedule a time during the day.
Volunteering at the Cannery
Image taken from Deseret News
Inside the Dry Pack Area Video
