Start with a search on BANC. I typed "canning and history." I got one book on the topic:
_Pickled, Potted, and Canned_ by Sue Shephard
Call # 641.4 S548p 2000
You can also run a search for some reference articles in Gale Virtual Reference. Go to the A-Z List of Resources to find Gale Virtual. I used the same keywords. One of the articles that comes up on top is a history of packaging and canning from Encyclopedia of Food and Culture. Article does include a small but useful bibliography you can use to find other resources.
