Food Preservation Workshop Empowers Malton Residents with Sustainable Skills

On May 31, 2023, the Sustainable Community Aid Network (SCAN) hosted its 6th Sustainability on My Mind Workshop at 6:00 PM, focusing on the theme of Food Preservation. The workshop introduced participants to two simple, low-cost methods of preserving vegetables: refrigeration and pickling.

Part of SCAN’s Sustainability on My Mind program, this workshop aimed to educate residents—especially those in the low-income neighbourhood of Malton, Mississauga—about practical, eco-friendly strategies they can implement at home to reduce waste and extend the life of their produce.

What Participants Learned

Attendees learned hands-on techniques to preserve carrots and cucumbers in mason jars. Two preservation methods were covered:

• Refrigeration Method: Participants washed and sliced carrots, then placed them in mason jars filled with water. These jars were sealed and stored in the refrigerator, with a reminder to change the water every couple of days to maintain freshness.
• Pickling Method: Using Kirby cucumbers, participants created their own pickles. They filled jars with sliced cucumbers, then added a homemade pickling mixture:
  • For dill pickles: ½ cup vinegar, ½ tablespoon salt, 2 tablespoons dill
  • For sweet pickles: ½ cup vinegar, ½ tablespoon salt, ¼ cup sugar
    The jars were shaken every few hours and refrigerated for a minimum of 6 hours. The longer the mixture was left, the more flavorful the pickles became.

Both techniques extended the shelf life of the vegetables by 2–3 weeks.

Workshop Preparation & Support

To ensure a smooth experience, all vegetables were cleaned and prepared in advance. SCAN provided all ingredients and materials, including mason jars, vinegar, salt, sugar, dill, measuring tools, knives, and cutting boards. Recipe handouts were also printed and distributed so participants could replicate the techniques at home and share them with others.

A Successful and Diverse Turnout

The workshop saw an enthusiastic turnout, largely thanks to Angie Minnick, who played a key role in organization and outreach. Most participants were Malton residents, with one attendee coming from Brampton.

The group reflected the rich diversity of the community:

• 31.3% West Indian
• 18.8% North African/Middle Eastern
• 18.8% South East Asian
• 18.8% Black
• 6.3% European
• 6.3% Biracial (Black and South East Asian)

Everyone left with practical skills, mason jars full of preserved veggies, and a better understanding of how to reduce food waste at home.

What’s Next?

We have two upcoming Sustainability on My Mind workshops:

• Tin Luminaries Workshop – June 14, 2023
  Interested participants can sign up here.

The Sustainability on My Mind series is generously funded by the Community Foundations of Canada, the Community Foundation of Mississauga, and the Government of Canada.

For more information, visit the SCAN website, follow us on social media, or contact us directly at info@s-can.org or 1-800-687-1351.