Where to get freeze-dried food?

[Thrashertm]

In doing a bit of research on stocking up for survival, many of the websites indicate that freeze-dried food is the best due to long shelf life and relatively easy re-constitution - just add water.

Anyone here stocked up on freeze-dried, and where did you obtain it? Buying from a sporting goods store at retail prices is a very expensive proposition. Hoping for a good online option.

Looking for the best bang/buck out there (good taste and low price).

Thanks

[gls]

Maybe http://www.efoodsdirect.com/ - although there products are hardly cheap.

I just stocked up on non-perishables at Costco.

[Thrashertm]

bump

[The Grinning Maniac]

What is a good place to order survival supplies of all types from? I'm pretty new at this.

[ladyjade3]

Mountain House is pretty good. Haven't tasted it yet, but I was happy with my purchase and felt prices were fair.

[dsentell]

Mountain House is what I have purchased also.

Here is a good site that carries Mountain House and others:

http://www.ldpcampingfoods.com/

[gls]

What is a good place to order survival supplies of all types from? I'm pretty new at this.

I ordered an emergency kit from http://beprepared.com/

I wasn't that impressed...I probably could've put a better kit together for cheaper in one trip to Walmart. At least I was able to find a promo code that gave me free shipping.

[dannno]

Mountain House is what I have purchased also.

Here is a good site that carries Mountain House and others:

http://www.ldpcampingfoods.com/

Those Mountain House #10 cans seem deceiving to me.

They contain (10) 1 cup servings that are 240 calories each.. That means one can has only 2400 calories, which I could eat in a day (not that I would in an emergency situation, but still..)


So it's really $30 for 2400 calories?!

http://www.survivalstore.com/30158.html



If that's true, why not buy the 900 calorie packets for $7 or $8 each in the store?? The answer is because you can't find enough anywhere.. My roomate even tried calling Mountain House a while back to buy a few hundred of their packets at bulk discount, and they wouldn't sell them to him because he wasn't a retail outlet... but even at full retail price that's like $20-$25 for 2400 calories, which is cheaper than the damn #10 tins!!

[Cowlesy]

Maybe http://www.efoodsdirect.com/ - although there products are hardly cheap.

I just stocked up on non-perishables at Costco.

I ordered a case of their freeze-dried stuff.

It's decent, and you will eat it if you need to, but I certainly never get any late night urge to cook up a batch of the "lasagna".

[Dr.3D]

Take a look at this package.
http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_info.php?cPath=224_225&products_id=167&osCsid=c16b6cdff4fea7195079761e384d0622

Last January, it was $2,789.00
And now it is $3,375.00

This means the price has gone up 21% since January.
What will it do in the next 6 months?

[rwbris18]

I don't recommend freeze dried... it is very expensive when compaired to the basic food stuff you need.

Here is a food storage calculator to help calculate what you need for survival.
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

The one thing not on this calculator is vitamins. You will want to suppliment your food to keep healthy. Especially Vitamin C and D.

Here the location of a list of lists from many sources about survival.
http://www.captaindaves.com/dl-list/dl1-toc.htm

You may want to see my survival web site and check out the food link.
http://briscoefamily.com/emergency/food.php
http://briscoefamily.com/emergency/72hour.php
http://briscoefamily.com/emergency/longterm.php

[tommyzDad]

On a related note, does anyone have a visual reference for can/ package sizes. I've seen some sites list products being in a "#2.5 can" or "#10 can". What are the measurments of these cans? Pictures would be great. :p

[LibertyEagle]

http://www.aa-foods.com/

http://www.nitro-pak.com/index.php?cPath=147_58_245

[JosephTheLibertarian]

In doing a bit of research on stocking up for survival, many of the websites indicate that freeze-dried food is the best due to long shelf life and relatively easy re-constitution - just add water.

Anyone here stocked up on freeze-dried, and where did you obtain it? Buying from a sporting goods store at retail prices is a very expensive proposition. Hoping for a good online option.

Looking for the best bang/buck out there (good taste and low price).

Thanks

from stop & shop. it's 2 min from my house

[LibertyEagle]

On a related note, does anyone have a visual reference for can/ package sizes. I've seen some sites list products being in a "#2.5 can" or "#10 can". What are the measurments of these cans? Pictures would be great. :p

Don't have the measurements, but maybe this will help a little.

http://www.thereadystore.com/images/products/detail_108_yearMainDish-Detail.jpg

[tommyzDad]

Yep, very helpful, thanks.

[Dr.3D]

On a related note, does anyone have a visual reference for can/ package sizes. I've seen some sites list products being in a "#2.5 can" or "#10 can". What are the measurments of these cans? Pictures would be great. :p

I got out a measuring tape and measured one of the #10 cans.
Here is what I got:

Diameter = 6 inches.
Height = 7 inches.

That is just slightly smaller than a standard one gallon paint can.

[rwbris18]

bump

[jm1776]

I don't recommend freeze dried... it is very expensive when compaired to the basic food stuff you need.

Very nice post, rwbris18. Thanks much!

[Mini-Me]

Hypothetical noob question: #10 cans can store a lot of food...several meals worth for the whole family that is, especially if you want to eat more than one type of food at once (and your entire meal isn't coming from just one can). After you open a #10 can of corn, green beans, etc., how are you supposed to store the rest of the food you don't immediately eat?

[tonesforjonesbones]

If you have one of those military surplus stores around you can probably get MRE's (meals ready to eat) ..that's what we had to eat in the field when I was in the Army. I am getting a lot of dried beans and rice..those last 30 years. tones (buy non hybrid seeds too)

[tonesforjonesbones]

The Mormans have a website on how to store food and rotate canned foods...and charts on how to keep them and how long they last. The Mormans have been storing food for years...tones

[sevin]

Nitro-Pak (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2671366-10363107) is great. They used to focus more on hurricane or camping emergencies, but they've been supplying more and more long-term disaster-preparedness kits lately including MRE's (http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-2671366-10363746).

[s35wf]

i have bought some stuff from both beprepared.com and also mredepot.com I cant tell you how stuff tastes other than i did open a packet of the mountainhouse blueberry granola; just to taste one since i also bought some #10 cans; the granola is fantastic! I also bought butter from mredepot and opened 1 can to try; its great!

yes these things freezedried/dehydrated are expensive but with anywhere from a
5 to 30 year shelf life they sit for the day when there is NO food in the grocery isle!

I have also been stocking up on regular canned food from the grocery store. chili, beefaronies, tuna, canned ham, vegs etc.... regular canned food will last up to 1-2 years. everytime i go shopping whatever is on sale i pick up extra to just sit on the shelf.

also i sometime order food supplements from vitacost.com they have some mountainhouse products and their shipping is only $5.00 no matter how much you order; so stock up. I also buy my emerald balance and x balance powder from vitacost as well. Also the raw organic food bars are great too; bought some for storing; but they tasted so good my kid ate them all and now im out! You must try their chocolate coconut bars; damn their good :)

I just read on mike adams naturalnews.com that the 4 best food supplements are: 1. bee pollen, 2. spirulina 3. chorella 4. alfalfa
so ill be ordering some of these also to keep on hand for shtf scenarios

[LibertyEagle]

Hypothetical noob question: #10 cans can store a lot of food...several meals worth for the whole family that is, especially if you want to eat more than one type of food at once (and your entire meal isn't coming from just one can). After you open a #10 can of corn, green beans, etc., how are you supposed to store the rest of the food you don't immediately eat?

There are lids made to put on the cans. I can't remember where I ordered them from right now.

[Dr.3D]

Hypothetical noob question: #10 cans can store a lot of food...several meals worth for the whole family that is, especially if you want to eat more than one type of food at once (and your entire meal isn't coming from just one can). After you open a #10 can of corn, green beans, etc., how are you supposed to store the rest of the food you don't immediately eat?

The food I bought, came with plastic lids. After you open the can and use what you need, just put the plastic lid on. It's sort of like using canned coffee. Just keep it dry and you shouldn't have a problem with it going bad as long as you use it up in the alloted time the label says to use it in after opening.

[rwbris18]

Just one more thought on freeze dried food... be sure you have plenty of water.

[s35wf]

i also ordered a 55 gallon drum for water storage w/syphon hose from beprepared.com

[amy31416]

How about you make your own?

I got a dehydrator for $10, unused, from the Salvation Army. It's fantastic because I feel less wary about buying fresh produce (I'm kind of a spaz about not wasting things). It's especially good for spinach-I now make spinach flakes and use them in soup, mashed potatoes--anything. I'm working on swiss chard, as it's supposed to be the most nutritious vegetable out there. I have dried mushrooms, carrots, various fruits, herbs, celery, tomatoes, onions, garlic, etc. etc.

I'm sure it won't have the shelf-life of store-bought professional dehydrated goods, but it is convenient, cost-effective and easy. Plus, I had to stop buying canned stuff due to storage limitations. This is lighter, smaller and easier to store. Plus, I hate canned vegetables. Bleh.

I store dried things in a vacuumed (I put a straw adaptor on a vacuum) ziploc bag, then pack in an airtight container with desiccant. So far, so good.

[s35wf]

im waiting on a sun oven, im sure i can dry things with it also as well as cook.

this will be new for me, baking bread, grinding wheat, etc.... wish me luck

[tangent4ronpaul]

i also ordered a 55 gallon drum for water storage w/syphon hose from beprepared.com

The 100 gal boxed water kit is much more cost effective:
http://beprepared.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_KW%20S500_A_name_E_100-Gallon+Boxed+Water+Kit

Your best bet for the barrel, after it runs out is to put it under a gutter drain (though a trash can will do - if clean) and then have a good high capacity water filter with extra filter elements:
https://www.pleasanthillgrain.com/berkey_light_big_berkey_water_filter_british_berke feld_portable_purifier.aspx

People go through a lot of water - and 55 gals won't last that long... think long term. Also check out any local sources of water near you - though water is heavy and haulin' it sucks! - been there, done that...

-t

[Grimnir Wotansvolk]

I'd recommend buying hemp powder from http://www.rawganique.com

This stuff has all the essential amino acids your body needs, as well as chlorophyll and a shitton of protein. A lifesaver in a time of crisis, methinks.

[LiveFree79]

Ebay has some of the best deals on freeze dried food. Richmoor's Natural High and Alpine Aire are the best brands. Also MRE's are the worst thing to have to rely on for food storage. Extremely expensive and will wreak havoc on your digestive system i.e. major constipation.