Earth Day at New Canaan Farms: A Second Life for Every Jar

Long after the last spoonful is gone, the jar remains.

At New Canaan Farms, we spend our days focused on what goes inside each one. Whole fruit. Fresh herbs. Whole ingredients prepared with care. But the jar itself is part of that story too. It is sturdy, reusable, and a great resource for kitchen and crafts long after the flavor has been enjoyed. We think of Earth Day as a simple reminder that small choices add up and reusing what we already have is one of the easiest places to begin.

Here are some of our favorite ways to reuse our jars:

1. A Windowsill Garden

Growing fresh herbs in a jar that once held fruit from the field…that seems fitting! A little soil, a few seeds, a sunny windowsill and off they go. 

Use clean jars for:

• Basil, rosemary, or mint cuttings
• Green onion regrowth in water
• Small wildflowers gathered from the yard
  
  

2. A More Organized Pantry

Glass storage can make even the most practical corners feel intentional. Our jars are able to stack neatly and keep your favorite ingredients visible!

Reuse your jars to store:

• Dried herbs
• Seasoned salts 
• Loose leaf tea
• Homemade spice blends

3. A perfect mixing tool

Jars are our go-to for shaking together and storing homemade salad dressings. 

No need for a bowl or whisk, just measure out the ingredients, add the lid, shake, then pour or store! Our jam jars are the perfect size to sit snugly in the fridge until the dressing is needed.

We use the salsa and sauce jars for something even more fun - cocktail mixes! Same principle applies - they shake and store perfectly until you’re ready with the ice and alcohol!

4. Candles for the Table

Glass catches candlelight in a way that feels warm and welcoming and the hars we have will be perfect for your outdoor patio table during the summer months

Use jars as:

• Tea light holders
• Outdoor table candles
• DIY soy wax candles with a simple cotton wick
  
  

5. A Desk or Craft Catch-All

This is an easy way to keep those small things that always seem to create clutter in one convenient spot!

Keep a jar nearby for:

• Pens and paintbrushes
• Matches
• Clothespins
• Twine or ribbon
  
  

6. Outdoor Entertaining Essentials

They are sturdy enough for outdoor tables and simple enough to blend into any setting. So when friends gather, whip out the jars to hold everything you may need!

Use them to hold:

• Utensils
• Cocktail garnishes
• Toothpicks

7. When the Jar Is Almost Empty…Don’t Rinse it, USE IT!

That last spoonful around the edges still carries all that fresh flavor. All you have to do is add a little more to it and it can become something brand new

Jam Jars

• Stir in yogurt, granola, fresh berries, and a drizzle of honey for a parfait layered right in the jar.
• Add milk and a splash of coffee for a lightly fruity afternoon iced coffee.
• Pour in oats and milk, stir, and refrigerate overnight for a ready-to-go breakfast.
• Add olive oil and a spoonful of Dijon for a quick vinaigrette.
• Add vodka or gin for a seasonal cocktail with depth and color
  

Salsa Jars

• Crack an egg directly into the jar and shake for scrambled eggs with built-in flavor.
• Add olive oil and lime juice for a bold taco salad dressing.
• Shake with honey and vinegar for a marinade that works beautifully on chicken or pork.

Mustard Jars

• Add olive oil and vinegar, secure the lid, and shake for a classic vinaigrette.
• Mix in maple syrup and garlic for a glaze for salmon or pork tenderloin.
• Add cream and pan drippings for a quick skillet sauce.
• Shake with lemon juice and fresh herbs for a bright marinade
  
  

It is a small habit, but it honors the ingredients all the way to the end. On Earth Day and every day, we are grateful for simple practices that help us waste less and use what we have well. Sometimes sustainability begins with something as ordinary as a jar.