How and Why Americans Are Preserving Food at Home: A 2024 Survey

Food insecurity and food waste remain pressing challenges in the United States, with one in eight households experiencing food insecurity and 30%–40% of the food supply lost annually. Home food preservation may help address these issues by extending the shelf life of perishable foods, reducing waste, and improving year-round food access. This study assessed current home food preservation practices, motivations, and demographic differences among U.S. consumers. A nationally representative online survey of 2,015 adults was conducted in 2024, with quotas for region, rurality, and generation. Weighted data analyses revealed that 85% of respondents engaged in some form of home food preservation, most commonly freezing or refrigerating, whereas 17% reported canning foods in the prior year. Notably, 13% of respondents reported using at least one untested preservation method, including practices not validated for safety, which may be associated with increased risk of foodborne illness. Saving money (71%) and reducing food waste (48%) were the most common motivators, with differences in practices and motivations observed by race or ethnicity, generation, and rurality. These findings highlight the continued relevance of home food preservation in modern food systems and underscore the need for tailored, culturally responsive education to promote safe preservation methods that support food security, sustainability, and public health.