Small Business Spotlight: TX Canning Co. and the Revival of Home Preserves

There’s a quiet movement reviving the art of canning in Texas — not as a nostalgic hobby, but as a modern, sustainable craft. One of the most promising newcomers is TX Canning Co., a San Marcos-based business that blends heirloom recipes, local sourcing, and recyclable packaging. We visited their production kitchen, tasted seasonal jars, and sat down with founder Lila Navarro to hear how small-scale canning can find a place in today's marketplace.

From Kitchen Table to Commercial Line

Lila started canning as a weekend project after discovering her grandmother's recipe box. What began as gifts for friends evolved into farmers market demand. Within a year she had converted a small commercial kitchen and hired two part-time staff. Their production philosophy is straightforward: keep things small, transparent, and delicious.

What Sets TX Canning Co. Apart

Several elements differentiate the company in a crowded artisanal market:

• Local sourcing: Fruit and herbs come from within a 150-mile radius when possible.
• Heirloom recipes: Many jars draw from family archives and regional traditions.
• Sustainable packaging: Reusable glass jars and minimal plastic used in packaging.
• Small batch transparency: Each jar is stamped with batch code and harvest date.

Top Picks from Their Line

1. Bluebonnet Peach Preserves

Bright, not overly sweet, with plenty of fruit chunks — great on toast or with cheese.

2. Smoky Jalapeño Tomato Marmalade

A savory-sweet jam with a hint of smoke that pairs brilliantly with grilled meats and sandwiches.

3. Lavender Citrus Marmalade

A floral and bright preserve that highlights Texas citrus during winter months.

Business Challenges and Community Impact

Scaling food production is complex. Lila shared the biggest hurdles she faced: securing consistent local supply, navigating food safety regulations, and creating packaging that aligns with sustainability goals without breaking the bank. Yet these challenges come with community benefits: local growers get another buyer for imperfect fruit, consumers get transparent labeling, and the company offers canning workshops to teach skills and reduce food waste.

Workshops and Workshops

TX Canning Co. hosts hands-on classes at the facility where participants learn basic water-bath canning, label design, and seasonal recipe development. These sessions are intentionally small and community-oriented, emphasizing safe preservation techniques and flavor experimentation.

'We want people to fall in love with preserving again — not as a chore, but as a way to celebrate seasonality and reduce waste.' — Lila Navarro, Founder

Where to Buy

You can find TX Canning Co. at farmers markets in San Marcos and Austin on weekends, select local grocers, and via their online shop for local delivery. They also partner with small restaurants for custom jars and limited collaborations.

Why It Matters

Beyond delicious jars, companies like TX Canning Co. reconnect consumers with food seasons, support small agriculture, and promote sustainable packaging practices. They also help revive culinary traditions that risk being lost in mass-produced supermarket aisles.

Final Thoughts

If you’re curious about canning or want to support local food entrepreneurs, stop by a market and sample a jar. The flavors are personal and rooted in place — and in a world of global supply chains, those local roots are worth seeking out.