Ok, I've searched through the archives and tried some of the suggestions there for lids. Not looking for the tattler lid, the reusable one, although I may try some of those. Does anyone know of a source for bulk lids? The ones by Altrista the Ball/Kerr people are the same price I can buy for locally, so hopefully there is another source? Thanks for any info, Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), March 06, 2001

Answers

Hello Jan, Here is what we did to get all the free canning lids that we will every need. My wife and me used to work at a restaurant that had a "country theme". They served all their drinks in canning jars. Well, the boxes of canning jars were unpacked and the domes and lids were being thrown away. We of course asked for them and was told we could have all we wanted. We have about a thousand of them. We had so many that we were selling them for a dollar a pack at our yard sales. You living in Colorado should not have too much trouble locating a restaurant that does this. Go to the tourist areas and ask around. Good Luck, Ernest http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks

-- Ernest in the Ozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), March 07, 2001.

I too have tried to find a bulk source for the lids but so far the best I can do is to buy them at a store called Big Lots. It is a store that buys damaged frieght and excess murchancedise. They have them in the summer for .69 a box. Although the year before they were .59. Anyway this beats our Walmart's price by 30 to 40 cents a box. I guess what I am saying is don't overlook the "junk" stores. Robin

-- Robin (frontzfarm@1st.net), March 07, 2001.

There's a thread or two on this in the archves. They don't provide much help.

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 07, 2001.

Jan I'm not sure if this will help you for this year but maybe for next year. Last year at the end of summer I went to Wal-mart and K- mart and talked with some people that worked there and they were able to tell me about when they were going to clearance out canning supplies, I started checking everyday by calling. When they did clearance them out I ended up getting them for .25 cents box. Bought 2 cases for this year. God Bless

-- tracy emily in TN (emilyfarms@tsixroads.com), March 07, 2001.

I ordered a case of Bernardin lids (great lids by the way, Canadian made - much more reliable seal than the Ball or Kerr lids) from E&R seeds. They are an Amish company. I no longer have their catalog but maybe someone else would and could give you their address. They sold them for a good price. HTH

-- Amy (gshep@aeroinc.net), March 09, 2001.

We used to buy Bernardin lids at Safeway in Colo.

-- Barbara Fischer (bfischer42@hotmail.com), March 09, 2001.

So far, no luck locating any source on line, but thanks,everyone for the ideas! Ernest, I tried your idea and called a restraunt in town, and voila! They toss the lids, and the manager gave me 17 dozen today, and a promise to save them for me in the future. It's a start...Have to look for the Bernardin lids..I've used them in the past, too, but the store prices are high here. Thanks, and I'll let you know if I find a good source! Jan

-- Jan in CO (Janice12@aol.com), March 09, 2001.

There's a place here by me in Lancaster,Pa. called The Goods store. I can buy lids on sale sometimes 3 for $1. But I think its because of the need to supply the Amish. They might be a national store but I don't know for sure. I have some info from a distributor based in Lanc. also. The company's name is Fillmore Container Company Phone # (717)397-4131 Fax # (717)397-0941. They supply large company's with jars and lids. The man I spoke with was very nice and willing to deal with me, a small amt. purchaser. They have a cap thats one piece and it seals just like the two-piecer but its only one. You can see the advantages of that. No rusty rings!!! Any way the cost was (when I spoke with them last year)regular caps-$49.90 for 60 dozen @.83 a doz. wide-mouth caps at $45.75 for 36 doz.. They have reg. lids(the two-parters)for $43.25 for 24 doz. wide mouth $30.25 for 12 dozen. $1.00 per case less when you order 15 or more. Free shipping when you order 8 or more cases. They sent me samples of the lids and their jars. They seemed to be a high quality glass. I liked the variety of sizes they had. And they weren't to expensive.(the jars I mean) Hope this is some help to you all.

-- pioneer patti (pioneerpatti@msn.com), March 11, 2001.