Women's Institute leads jam making resurgence Jam making equipment, including boiling pans, thermometers, preserving jars and gingham labels, has seen a 2,000 per cent sales increase this year according to Homebase. In July, distributor RH Amar said orders for Certo pectin, a gelling agent used for production in jam, were up 19 per cent compared to last year, and Silver Spoon confirmed a surge in sales of jam sugar. She said: "The recent glut of fruit will hopefully encourage more people to try making their own jam for the first time and see how easy it is to make the most of our great local produce." Director of The Guild of Jam and Preserve Makers Rosemary Jamerson agreed, saying many new WI members joined hoping to learn traditional skills. Whereas people used to come and see it as a bit lightweight and just something to try once which they hadn't done before, now they are taking it seriously because they want to know what is in their food and where it comes from,' she said. The rising interest is great. People want to be engaged with what they are eating nowadays," she added. The Duchess of Cambridge and supermodel Kate Moss are both rumoured to be fans of making jam when taking time out from their busy lifestyles. It was reported last month that Ms Moss has hoping to launch her own range of plum conserve made from fruit grown on her Cotswold estate. Jam sales have suffered in recent years as consumers have made the switch from preserves to other sugary spreads, including peanut butter and chocolate spread. Peanut butter sales grew 20 per cent to reach £52m during 2013, and sales of chocolate spread rose almost 25 per cent to £46m. However, jam continues to hold the biggest market sector, despite sales flatlining at £118m.