The Cannery
By tammy on Monday, June 29 2009, 20:02 - Permalink
Information on the LDS Cannery during my visit.
I would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful and up lifting comments.
First, I want to bring to your attention a web site that has a lot of useful information about the LDS Cannery. Remember you do not have to be an LDS member to go to the Cannery. This past Friday I visited the Cannery that was about 1.5 hours from my home. I was amazed how dedicated they are in educating people on the importance of home food storage. You can purchase oxygen packs, Mylar bags, oats, grain, sugar, rice, milk, beans, wheat, apple slices, carrots, macaroni, and the list goes on. You can also purchase prepackaged food and/or you can package your own food at the cannery. They have a canner that they will let you take home on loan and they sell the cans and lids. This is an non-profit organization so there is no mark up on the food. This means you can not purchase the food to resell at a higher price. You can even volunteer at the Cannery and pack food for others. It is such a giving and wonderful place. Most important it is a great tool in helping you build your pantry and making sure your family is secure. I know a few of my viewers have gone and even taken home the canner. I would love for them or anyone else that has been to the cannery to post their experience here on this blog if they get a chance. At the cannery they took me on a tour and showed me how all the equipment worked, I could have talked to them all day! They also, gave me their web site www.providentliving.org that has a Family Home Storage Center Products list with prices. In addition to that the site is loaded with information about shelf life, storage ideas, and preparedness. Remember this site so you can pass it to other people that need help in building their pantries.
I am amazed at all the e-mail in the comment section. I am trying to answer everyones questions so forgive me if I’ve been a little slow.
Comments
Awesome information. There is a cannery within a hour of me, I'm going to have to go see for myself.
Hi Tammy
Love the site. Have been a fan since january '09. There is a cannery within driving distance from me. I called them but they will not allow"outsiders" to visit or to purchase from them. I have purchased my O2 obsorbers from the LDs site.
Hi melissam,
I was just there this past Friday and was told you do not have to be an LDS member to purchase from them. I also have a viewer that went to one in their area. What cannery did you go to. If you can contact me in the contact section I will look into this.
Thank you for the kind word and I will get back to you.
Tammy
I am the Stake Canning Coordinator for our local LDS dry-pack cannery. The policy for "non-members" to attend varies from location to location. If you have a friend who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please ask them what the policy is at their local cannery. While the foods are sold at cost, the building maintenance and expenses involved with running the cannery are supported by the tithing funds contributed by members of the Church. The staff, of course, are all volunteers.
I know this post may lead to more questions than answers, but I thought I should post what I know.
Thanks!
Linda T.
Does anyone know the policy for the cannery in Bridgeton, MO? I called the number and the message said it was open by appt only through the stake coordinator. I am not a member of the LDS church but I would like to purchase some items there if possible. I'd appreciate any info. Thanks
If you go to Dex Online (or another phone directory", you should be able to find the number of the Stake Office building. They should be able to give you the phone number for your Stake Canning Coordinator. If you have a hard time reaching them, try during a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evening. Good Luck!
Linda T.
I have been to my cannery here in Houston twice and they never asked me about membership. I've bought mylar bags and oxygen packets only, so far. I may go again and ask if I can buy some of their dried milk and other goods and store in cans while I'm there. If they ask about membership I'll be honest and offer a donation. I've also ordered from the website and got the order within a couple of days! So, if your short on time, just save yourself the gas and trip and just go online to their website. Their prices are fantastic.
I'm sure the cannery won't take a donation, but they would probably welcome your helping hands! (smile) I'm really glad that the Church has these facilities and happy for those who can take advantage of them. It's great when we can help each other store food for our families--whether it's through a great site like this or other awesome resources. I feel grateful... and very blessed.
I wasn't able to find the number for the stake coordinator for the Bridgeton, MO cannery. I searched the online directory but didn't get any results. Should I search something else? Any help would be appreciated. Also it says on the message for the cannery itself it is by appt by the stake coordinator. Are the canneries usually open during the week and to use the faciltiy you need the appt? Do you usually need an appt to just buy the bulk goods? I was considering buying online, but I really was interested in the white wheat and it only had red for online purchase. Does anybody know a good inexpensive source for white wheat other than the cannery for us non-members? I'm really interested in dehydrating and having a good storage of food for my family, but I need to do it as frugally as possible. It is great to have this site for a wealth of info and the help of the viewers as well. Thank you!
1- 800-453-3860 is the phone number for the LDS Administrative Offices in Utah. They have directed me to my local cannery each time I have moved.
Scrapbaby6 I buy my hard white wheat from Honeyvillegrain.com For a 50lb bag it costs about 52.00 plus 4.49 for shipping. You can then seal it up yourself in mylar bags and then buckets. You can also buy it in #10 cans. Hope that helps
Tammy, The one I am inquiring about is in Slidell, LA. across the lake from New Orleans. I have purchased wheat, pinto beans and oats from the LDS site also.
I have been going to the dry cannery in Portland, OR for two years now. I am not a member, and everyone has been very kind. When you go, they may group you with other people. Everybody has a task, somebody pours the food into the cans, somebody shakes down the can so the food settles in, an oxygen absorber is added, a lid, then the can is sealed, labeled and dated. It is the best exercise ever. When you are done, you have helped other people get their food storage, and they've helped you. A very nice community thing. If it wasn't for the LDS church, it would've taken me forever to get a reasonable amount of food stored, and the expense would easily have been double what I invested. If you are feeling shy, I heartily encourage you to give them a try.
Lara
What cannery did you go to i just found one my self, on the northside of Houston and wanted to check it out . How do they operate? is it like a store? do they let you look around? and is there a minmum you must buy? any info you have would be great.
Thanks
I use the Kansas City LDS Family Cannery quarterly. Years ago we could not get an appointment for 2 years as they were booked that solid and most of the people using it was non-members. We bought our own dry pack canner and let people in our area ( NW MO) use it for the cost of the cans, ect. We live in a very Amish area so they are able to use it when they need to also. I buy all our canning supplies from them and also bulk items when needed. We live on our food storage so a quarterly pick up date keeps our food supply up to date regularly. Everyone at the cannery is so friendly and helpful. Hope they are in your area also! Remember all these canneries are ran by people who have been asked to serve there as missionaries for 6 months to a year. They do not get paid for services given or gas money and do not accept tips. Most of them will welcome you warmly!
scrapbaby6.....the WholeFoods store at 141 and Clayton Road will order a 50 pound bag of red wheat but I don't know if they can order white or not.
Carolyn...Thanks for the info. It's great to know there is someplace to go so I don't have to pay shipping. Do you have any idea how much they charge for 50ibs? I know it will be more expensive than the cannery obviously, but at least no shipping. Some of the sites I looked at wanted 30-40 dollars in shipping because of the weight. Thanks again!
You can order the wheat, oats, rice, and beans in prepackaged boxes from the cannery by going to the lds.org website under the food storage section. You can also look up the LDS Distribution Center in the phone book or on Dex Online. They have boxes of precanned wheat, beans, rice, and oats available for purchase. They just reduced the price so I don't think you can beat the price anywhere. If you have a Macey's Grocery store nearby, they sell wheat for a really good price as well. I go to the LDS cannery almost weekly. It's truly inspired!
Rock,
The cannery on the northside of Houston is near I-45 and FM1960. From there, go west on 1960 to the traffice light that has a taco bell, burger king and BBQ rest. on the south side and CHASE on the right. You're going to turn south, on that road. The LDS canner is down on your right, just before you get to the end and it turns into a neighborhood. They are only certain days at certain times. So call in advance. They are very friendly there. I'm in Spring, where are you?
I just have to say that you are a very generous-spirited person. There are a lot of people who are currently taking advantage of people's fears and profiting from it. I respect and admire you for sharing so freely the information that you have. I thank you a LOT because this is exactly the type of information I have been looking for. I'm so glad I found this website!
My husband and I went to the cannery in Nashville on the 17th of July and it was wonderful! We live in Memphis and it took about 3 hours to get there and was well worth it. We were the only couple there and I was surprized by that. I thought there would be lots of people "getting ready".The couple that helped us were wonderful. It was clean, organized and well stocked. I am amazed at how helpful your chuch is in helping you to store food. There is really no reason not to, they provide everything for you to be successful ! If I was a member of your church I think I would be teaching classes because I feel this is something God is compelling us to do! Blessings to all of you and thank you so much for sharing your information and cannery with non members.
Penny
PS. I bought potato pearls... big mistake, they contain alot of bad stuff! Everything else was incredible!
Lara and Rock,
Have either of you bought food at the cannery yet? I called about a month ago and was told that non-Mormons were not allowed. I really hope that policy has changed. Please let me know if you have a different experience.
Thanks,
Melanie
Hi Melanie,
This is not so, Please email me as to what cannery you went to I will look into it for you and get right back with you.
I was on vacation so I'm sorry for the delay.
Tammy
Hi Tammy,
I actually called the Houston cannery and was told this by the gentleman that answered the phone.
Melanie
Melanie,
I live in Spring, Texas and also called the cannery at I-45 and 1960 and was told that non members were NOT allowed. I am an active Baptist, but God also convicted my heart about preparing for my family and for charity when needed. I was so disapointed as my neighborhood has a Mormon building at the entrance. There is even a Mormon Temple 2 miles away on Champion Forrest. I wonder if a non-member is allowed to visit with a member?
Jana
Hi Jana,
I answered you a couple of days ago, but it got lost somehow. When I talked to the gentleman from the Houston Cannery, I was told that non-Mormons were allowed as a guest of a Mormon. Unfortunately, I'm new to Houston and don't really know any Mormons here. By the way, I'm in the Sugarland area.
Melanie
Melanie,
Thanks for the information. Maybe we will be able to visit a cannery sometime. I have friends in Sugarland :)
I'd love to visit the cannery anytime. Do you know anyone who could take you?
Melanie
Melanie,
Don't know anyone personally that could take me, but maybe some day. If I ever get the chance I will give you a heads up.
Can you tell me if there is a cannery on Long Island, NY? Hopefully in Nassau County, but I'd go where I have to.
Thanks!
I found two locations: one in NJ and one in NY . Hope this helps
NJ - Piscataway
Phone (732) 248-7606
Address 121 Ethel Rd W Unit 7
Piscataway , New Jersey 08854
NY - Canandaigua
Phone (585) 394-4435
Address 2474 State Route 21
Canandaigua, New York 14424
The Dallas Cannery does allow non-members to purchase from them. You are limited in quantities, I think to keep you from selling to others. You can go MTTHF between 9 and 3. Wednesday is reserved for canning.
Melanie
Hi Melanie,
I am so sorry, I was helping some other people on email get into the cannery and forgot about you on the blog.
If anyone ever has a problem getting into the cannery, email me through the contact section along with the cannery that you tried.
I will call that cannery and find you a contact to help you get in.
Also, go to www.providentliving.org to the Family Home Storage Center Products list. This will give you a list of items and prices.
Don't give up, email me . Some times I have unexpected things come up and I become side tracked. But, I will do my utmost to help you to the cannery.
I am so sorry Melanie for not getting back to you. Please email me.
Tammy
Jana,
Can you e-mail me at neilmelanie@yahoo.com? I have a question for you.
Thanks,
Melanie
First of all this site is totally awesome. Tammy-a great big thank you for answering my questions on cucumbers. Dried a mess of them the last couple of days. I'm not able to get a dryer like yours and have to use the TV info mercial ones. Any way, I have an appointment at a canner in Farmington Hills, MI this Saturday. Gracious and timely answering of my emails and confirming my appointment. I'm so excited and so is my friend that's going with me. They accept everyone because they want everyone to be able to prepare at least the basics for their families should the need arise. There are so many out of work here in MI, including us, this is a real blessing. Thank you Tammy for pointing all this out.
Scrapbaby - try this
Missouri
St. Louis Center
12555 N. Outer Forty Drive
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: 1-314-514-1127
Thank you so much for all you do to help people learn to be more self sufficient. This is a wonderful site. Do you know of a cannery within driving distance of Greenville, South Carolina? Thanks, Debra
Hi Debra,
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I am unable to locate a cannery in South Carolina but, was able to locate one in North Carolina @ 129 Landmark Drive, Greensboro, NC. 27409
336.668.2284. If you call that number and talk to someone at the Cannery it could be possible they will ship you and order. Also, if you go to www.providentliving.org you will find a price list and order form. You will notice the prices to be incredibly low, this is because there is no mark up on the products sold. Look over the order form and pick out the items you want and then call and ask how you can get these items. Please don't give up and I am willing to make phone calls for you and help as much as I can. I receive a lot of emails from people who have gone to the cannery , saved a ton of money and where welcomed with open and helping arms.
I'm here if you need me. Tammy
Debra and Tammy
There is a cannery in Columbia SC. the number is 803.699.5740 The person who is currently in charge of it is Martha Trapp and her number at home is 803.754.1906. She was very nice and offered to set me up with members if I wanted to can anything there, since you will need to be with members. I went and purchased the oxygen absorbers and mylar bags. I intend to go back in a month and get a few supplies to store at home.
I would be glad to answer any questions about it. It was not far off of the interstate 77/ 20
I have tryed to get information at the Slidel, Louisiana LDS and they say you have to be a member at the church. I have a friend that is Morman an she asks like the only ones that can go an buy is Morman. Who can I contact in Slidel to see if I can go there. It's the closest to me for I live in Tylertown, Mississippi. HELP I want to go so bad.
This question is for Cherylynn who uses the Kansas City cannery. Can you give me the telephone number and address of it? Thanks! Lowizysue
I think the official policy is you have to be with a member because it can be considered a "missionary" opportunity not a retail setup. I believe the change in policy has to do with a chain "club" store bringing a lawsuit (since prices are much lower there) against the cannery not necessarily because non-members do not tithe.. I'm not sure this is what I read online.
Mary ask you friend to find out who is the stake preparedness person and try contacting them. Remember everyone is a volunteer so it might take time for someone to get back to you. You could try looking up your local ward (congregation):
http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng...
I know the policy is that a member can bring a non-member and I wonder if the stake preparedness coordinator could arrange you for to attend with a member.
Slidell is the cannery closest to me too. I've contacted them in the past and recieved the same response that it isn't open for non-members to purchase food from.
I think part of your fustration is there seems to be less of an interest in preparing with wheat (i.e. foods at the cannery) with LDS members in the costal southeast. I spoke to somone locally and they were very kind but they basically preached against storing wheat. It's understandable since we deal with hurricanes as our emergencies and we always need short term food storage. Due to the humidity hard wheat doesn't grow here so we don't have it part of our history and culture like people do further West.
Lowizysue here is where you can look up your local cannery:
http://www.providentliving.org/loca...
:
Phone (816) 453-4269
Address 3601 NE Kimball Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64161
.
I recently went to the LDS cannery in Aurora, Colorado. The workers were very kind. I had to can what I wanted to bring home, plus a little more which was not bad at all.
I was reading some posts about prices for wheat. I think they have the best bulk prices around. Some places need to have a member of the LDS faith with you, but Aurora you do not. The following link shows some of the prices for those who are interested.
http://www.providentliving.org/pfw/...
As a lds member(mormon). it is great to see so many preparing for hard times, whatever they might be. Around Y2K time, the canneries were so inundated they limited admission to members because of supply limitations. Going with a member is the way to go to prevent lawsuits from for -profit companies. I have worked in the Slidell cannery prior to Katrina, it is a great place. Our stake in north LA picks up supplies from them freq, esp mylar bags, for dehydrated foodstuffs. I have ussed the Carrollton(Dallas) TX site also. Canning togerther at the sites or at church is a spirit-lifting experiences as someone earlier posted, to know we are helping ourselves as well as our brothers and sisters. My non-immediate family members haved help me can in the past when I borrowed the canner, etc. it brings you closer together. I am excited to find your site, as my married daughter introduced me dehydrating. I just purchased a dehydrator, after years of canning, and storing that instilled in her as a child.
I noticed that someone bought a 50 lb bag of white wheat from Honeyville for about 50.00. At the LDS cannery you can buy a 25lb bag for only 5.65 (Canadian) It is worth the trip to the cannery. I'm headed there this week. Awesome facilties.
Jan, Melanie, Rock, or anyone else:
I live pretty close to the Houston cannery, am mormon, and would be happy to accompany or otherwise help any non-members locally have access to the cannery. I have friends in my congregatiion that volunteer there a lot, from what I've heard them mention, I think there's also been some supply issues, but I think most of those have been worked out. From what I know policy varies from cannery to cannery depending on demand, although I wouldn't be surprised if the lawsuit mentioned might be partly responsible as well.
Any one interested can drop me an email and we can work out the details.
Barrett
Does anyone know the policy regarding non LDS members at the Sacramento, California Cannery?
I've called several times, left messages and havent been called back.
It is great that the LDS church has these canneries available. I am not a member of the church and was hoping to be able to go to the Bridgeton, Mo cannery that is a little over an hour away from me, but I finally reached them and was told I could NOT purchase from them. They asked me if I had a friend that was a member, but I don't. The prices are unbelievable. I wish they had the white wheat available online to purchase so maybe I could get it that way. I guess I will have to order it from somewhere, which is so hard to do when you know there is a place where you could get 5 times as much for the same price. I really hope members of the church take advantage of what is available to them, it is amazing.
I found that on the website, LDSCATALOG.COM, you are able to order a number of things and that it makes no difference if you belong to the church or not.
Once at the site, look to the left bottom. Move your cursor over the words WELFARE SERVICES. In the highlighted area, you will see Home Storage. Click on that link. There is one listing for Family Home Storage Started Kit. It includes #10 cans of 2 Hard wheat, 2 white rice, as well as one each of pinto beans and quick oats.
If you call their number (800-537-5001), they are quite eager to help you and will also help you find a cannery local to you. I asked about the requirement of being a member, and the very sweet lady responded, "We are just more concerned with making sure everyone is prepared".
Good luck and good planning!!!
I am a member of the LDS church. I have been using the products from the church cannery for many years. I would pass along a tip for those who are new to using these products. Sometimes, when I open a #10 can of food that has been stored for several years, there is a "tinny" smell to the food. This can be removed if you pour out the contents of the can, into a large bowl. Cover the food in the bowl with a clean dish towel and let it sit on your sink for a few days to aerate. It helps to stir through the food with a large ladle or spoon, several times a day to expose the food to air and remove the "tinny" smell. For the flour, I sift it through my mesh collander a few times. Ditto for the sugar. Be sure to allow the food to go through this "aeration" process for a day or two, before you plan to use it in any recipes.
Barrett could you e-mail me at neilmelanie@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Melanie
I was just at a Wal-Mart in Thatcher, Az where they have an aisle devoted to 6 gallon buckets of food and also #10 cans of food. The six-gallon buckets of hard white wheat were just under $20.00 for 47 lbs. That's pretty good - wheat, bucket, and oxygen absorber inside. I am wondering if anyone has seen this aisle at other Wal-Marts or if this is just here?
I have a suggestion for those who call a cannery and are told they either can not go, or need to go with someone. First look up the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in your phone book. Call any of the numbers listed there to talk to a real person. It may have to be a Sunday mid-morning since there is not always someone there. You can ask who ever answers if they know who the canning specialist or coordinator is. If they do not, (anyone in the building can answer the phone in the hall) then ask for a "member of the bishopric". They would know (or be able to look up) who the canning coordinator is. Then you would have a contact for the cannery. I hope this explains it better and helps those still trying to find information about the canneries.
I am the canning coordinator for our ward in Eagle River Alaska. We can every fri. evening and sat. morning at our cannery in Palmer. Each ward in our stake has a different time and day. Our orders go in to the cannery 2 weeks in advance and the canning session takes about 2-21/2 hours per session. Call any LDS church building tues., wed., or thurs, evening, or between 7 AM and 12PM any Sunday and you will contact someone in the know of how to contact me. You are welcome to the cannery with any member any time. You can buy anything canned there. If you go to wwwprovidentliving.org and follow the prompts to the family home storage center products you will get to the order sheet with all the prices, sizes and storage life of each product. You can then fill out the sheet and email it or take it to either the cannery or the coordinator. Remember to send it in 2 weeks in advance. Good luck and happy canning!!!...Bev.
Hi,
I am LDS and live near the Houston cannery. I would be happy to go with anyone who isn't LDS and would like to go. My congregation/ward goes quite often. Just email me at bindago@aol.com and put something in the email heading so I know it's not junk mail.
Also, I have family in Baton Rouge, LA and Sacramento, CA so if anyone in those areas has trouble, you can email me and I can get you connected to someone there, too.
scrapbaby6,
I am LDS and live in St. Louis, MO-1/2 hr away from bridgeton. If you need an LDS friend to help you get what you need I'd love to be that friend! I just barely found this blog/website with all this dehydrating fun stuff. You can email me at michelleandtravis@yahoo.com.
Hi everyone,
New to the preparing and was wondering if someone had a contact in Florida. I am willing to go to Jacksonville if I have to. We have really felt the strong urge to prepare and we also are caregivers for our elderly neighbors and are including them in our food storage plan. Please let me know if any of you can help us.
Thanks,
shelnrik@yahoo.com
Shel
Tammy, I need to buy mylar bags for my free buckets i got at Meijers and Walmart bakery's. They smell like icing. Is that going to be a problem? I washed them very good in soap and then in dishwasher detergent.
Where is the best place to buy 5 gallon bucket mylar bags. what thickness should they be? I looked on ebay but had no idea what to buy.
I also visited the lds cannery in our area. i am not a member. When I call they always ask what ward i'm with and i tell them i'm not a member. they always say "that's okay".
I love their beans, carrots, milk, wheat, and potato pearls. I have been watching different youtube videos about using your home food storage and have seen great videos on using the beans, milk and more on a regular basis. Two of my favorites are 3dhealth.net, she uses lot's of beans! the other one is everydayfoodstorage.net. I have learned lot's from Tammy and these other two girls. love watching all of their youtube videos and they both have websites. I subscribe and am so excited to see new videos.
I am looking for a place to can some gifts for me. I want to put gift cards in the cans for Christmas gifts...a unique way of wraping. Will the lds cannery be able to help me with this? I need a cannery in South Carolina.