International Can-It-Forward Day
August 1
About International Can-It-Forward Day
International Can-It-Forward Day takes place on Saturday, 1 August 2026, falling on the first Saturday of August each year. Created by the makers of Ball home canning products, the day encourages people to take up home food preservation, learn safe canning techniques, and share the results with their communities. It combines free online demonstrations with a wider call to fill jars with seasonal produce while it is at its peak.
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. Here are plenty of ways to take part, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned canner.
- Try water-bath canning – This is the safest entry point for newcomers. High-acid foods such as jams, pickles, chutneys, and tomatoes can be processed in a simple pot of boiling water, with no special pressure equipment needed beyond jars, lids, and a rack.
- Make a batch of jam – Soft summer fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, or plums turns into jam with little more than sugar, fruit, and time. It is a forgiving first project and produces gifts you can hand out all year.
- Pickle your surplus vegetables – Cucumbers, onions, beetroot, and beans all take well to a vinegar brine. Quick pickling is fast, while properly processed jars keep for months in the cupboard.
- Watch the live demonstrations – The day is built around free online canning demos showing each step in real time. Following along as you cook removes much of the guesswork and builds confidence.
- Learn the food safety basics – Before you start, read up on jar sterilisation, correct headspace, processing times, and how to test that a lid has sealed. Safe canning is a science, and getting the fundamentals right matters more than any recipe.
- Can it forward – Stay true to the name by giving your preserves away. Drop a jar of chutney to a neighbour, donate to a food bank, or post a jar to a friend who lives far from home.
- Host a canning session – Invite friends round, divide up the chopping and stirring, and split the finished jars between you. Preserving is far more enjoyable, and far faster, as a group activity.
- Visit a farm shop or market – Buy local produce at its seasonal best. Buying in bulk while prices are low and quality is high is exactly the spirit the day was founded on.
If you enjoy days that celebrate seasonal, sustainable food, you might also like Sustainable Gastronomy Day, which champions eating in a way that respects local produce and the environment.
What is International Can-It-Forward Day?
International Can-It-Forward Day is an annual celebration of home food preservation. It exists to teach people how to safely can, pickle, and preserve their own food, and to pass that knowledge on to others. The event was started by the company behind Ball brand canning jars and equipment, and it has always combined practical instruction with a community spirit. Anyone with a few jars and some seasonal produce can take part, regardless of experience.
When is International Can-It-Forward Day?
International Can-It-Forward Day falls on the first Saturday of August each year. In 2026 that is Saturday, 1 August. Because it is tied to the first Saturday rather than a fixed calendar date, the date shifts slightly from year to year. The table below shows the date for the next five years so you can plan ahead.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 1 August |
| 2027 | Saturday, 7 August |
| 2028 | Saturday, 5 August |
| 2029 | Saturday, 4 August |
| 2030 | Saturday, 3 August |
The 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.
The format has evolved with technology. Early streams ran on a dedicated fresh preserving website, and by the mid-2010s the broadcasts had expanded onto social platforms with hourly giveaways and audience interaction. Over its first few years the event helped tens of thousands of people learn to can, and the brand has continued to use the day as a focal point for free recipes, instruction, and encouragement to preserve the harvest at its seasonal peak.
Fun Facts About International Can-It-Forward Day
- The canning method at the heart of the day dates back to 1809, when Nicolas Appert won a prize from the French government for inventing a way to preserve food for long sea voyages.
- The Ball brand traces its jar-making back to the 1880s, making it one of the longest-running names in home preserving.
- The original Can-It-Forward broadcasts were streamed live from Jarden Home Brands’ headquarters in Fishers, Indiana.
- The day’s name is a play on the idea of “paying it forward”, encouraging canners to share both their preserves and their know-how.
- Across its early years the event is credited with teaching tens of thousands of people the basics of safe home canning.
- High-acid foods like jam and pickles can be safely preserved with nothing more than a large pot of boiling water, which is why they are the recommended starting point for beginners.
Why International Can-It-Forward Day Matters
Beyond the satisfaction of a shelf lined with home-made jars, the day promotes some 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Can-It-Forward Day?
It is an annual celebration of home food preservation, started by the makers of Ball canning products. The day teaches people how to safely can and pickle their own food through free demonstrations, and encourages them to share the results with others.
When is International Can-It-Forward Day in 2026?
It takes place on Saturday, 1 August 2026, the first Saturday of August.
Do I need special equipment to take part?
Not for beginner projects. Water-bath canning of jams, pickles, and other high-acid foods needs only clean jars with lids, a large pot, and a rack to keep the jars off the base. Low-acid foods such as vegetables and meats require a pressure canner for safety, so it is best to start with high-acid recipes.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your best jam, pickle, and preserve photos on social media with #CanItForwardDay and #CanItForwardDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to fill a jar of their own and pass it forward.
Related Awareness Days
- Sustainable Gastronomy Day – Celebrates food production and consumption that respects local produce, biodiversity, and the environment.
- Goat Cheese Day – A food-focused day celebrating an artisan product and the craft behind home and small-batch food making.
- National Iced Tea Day – Another summer food and drink celebration that makes the most of the season’s flavours.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
Every key awareness day at a glance. Perfect for offices, staff rooms, and team planning.
View Calendar →
