Online preserving shop, LoveJars.co.uk, had a record-breaking year in 2020, increasing turnover by more than six times on previous years, in line with industry trends showing the sale of jam was up more than 22 per cent* last year.

Founder, Rosemary Jameson, believes the astounding rise in sales was due to the impending Brexit and lockdowns/tier restrictions across the UK leading to more people growing their own fruit and vegetables and preserving at home. An increase in the sale of glass jars was fuelled in part by restaurants seeking alternative/sustainable ways to package food supplied as takeaways.

Rosie, who started the Rutland-based business in 2015 after building a lifetime of experience in jam-making and teaching preserving classes and wanted to be able to provide preservers with the equipment they need to preserve food traditionally at home. Despite its name, Love Jars also provides labels, equipment and even Rosie's own recipe book and planners. She buys most of her glassware from big manufacturers in the UK, with heavy glass coming from France and some from Germany.

Rosie said: “Prior to lockdown, glass had been in short supply because all of the manufacturers had been making bottles for gin. Suddenly, glass was in demand for jam makers and preservers once again. The bestsellers for me last year were the 'everyday' jars – the 190ml and 300ml jars because more people were making jams and chutneys at home. We've never seen a preserving season like it before.”

But the biggest surprise was yet to come as preservers took their skills to the next level and started “canning” – a form of bottling using high-temperature steam to rid produce of bacteria and preserve meats and vegetables for longer. Sales of the Presto 23 Quart Pressure Canner – for which LoveJars is the only UK stockist - shot through the roof. Rosie added: “Up until last year, we may have sold one piece of this kit a year. In 2020 we sold around 80 of them to British people who want to control all aspects of their food at home.”

So, why has the process of preserving become so popular?

Rosie explains: “There were two-factors that influenced a rise in preserving last year. The first lockdown led to panic buying and there was a fear that this would happen a second time when Brexit hit. The lockdown also led to a rise in people growing their own fruit and vegetables – either to amuse themselves or to amuse the children – and they were left with a surplus that they didn't know what to do with.”

Rosie has recently launched a year-long programme of online courses to teach people how to make delicious jams and preserves using produce that they have grown or purchased. In May she also plans to stage an instructional workshop dedicated to those who have invested in canners.

She added: “The classes – which start in February - will teach people the traditional skills and techniques they need to make seasonal preserves all year long, reducing food and plastic waste and creating gifts and produce to see them through the 'lean months' of the winter.”

The winter season, which begins on 3rd February, includes Limoncello, vegetable stock, mustards and yoghurt. They are priced £49.90 for a season of six or £19.90 for an individual class.

Details on the wide range of classes, jars and bottles, which are suitable for jams as well as for candle makers and crafters, can be found at  https://www.lovejars.co.uk

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Notes to editors:

• Research carried out by Kantar and reported by The Grocer (15/01/2021) show sales of jams, marmalades and other spreads to be up £120.8m (21.7%) in 2020 on previous years.
• The sale of jam specifically was up 22.9% last year with a growth of £25.8m

WINTER WORKSHOP DATES:

• 3 February Limoncello 1
• 10 February Vegetable stock
• 17 February Everything Lemons / Limoncello 2
• 24 February Mustard Balls
• 3 March Yoghurt making
• 10 March Dijon mustard

For a full list of available classes and to book visit https://www.lovejars.co.uk/rosies-preserving-school/

For more information contact Megan Allen at Rural Roots Media on 07730 599358 (call or WhatsApp) or email newsdesk@rural-roots.co.uk

Rosie's image library of both high-res and web images can be accessed here (c. Amanda Forman Photography):

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lrlxh150uak03pe/AAAQaBzOaYfHCdf34w8vQ0Dba?dl=0

About Rosie:

Rosemary Jameson is the founder of Rosie Makes Jam and LoveJars.co.uk
An accomplished author, she lives in rural Rutland with her husband Trevor and enjoys the simple life - good food, caring for her chickens and knitting.
With teaching jam and preserve making and Master Classes, talks and demonstrations, writing, running her own artisan preserves business, Love Jars and being Nanny to four grandsons, life is busy. Rosie and Trevor also publish a monthly digital magazine 'Simply Preserved' for all of those who love preserving as much as they do, home makers and artisans alike.
As the founder of the Guild of Preservers and Jam Makers, Rosie's mission is to “preserve preserving” – teaching lost skills to a new generation and encouraging them to do things the traditional way.

For more information visit www.rosiemakesjam.com