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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
We have always used canned foods for our emergency supplies but lately I've been thinking that freeze dried would be a better way to go. The info I've read says it doesn't need to be rotated and is very tasty.
The problem is that on the internet it seems like nearly every site is pushing foods of a particular brand and I haven't found much in the way of information that seems objective.
Is anyone here familiar with the various brands and which might taste better or be a better value?
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
A long time ago when I was in the Canadian Forces we used to eat something we called MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat). They only took a few minutes in boiling water to get them ready. If hthere is no way to heat them they can be eaten cold. But trust me they are much better hot!!! The link below should help.
http://www.mreinfo.com/international/canada/canadian-imp.html
Link:
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
AlbertaDan, thanks for the info on MREs. The advantage of freeze dried as I understand it is that the shelf life is much longer (up to 25 years) and MREs cost about twice as much per meal.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
I'm thinking the same thing, let me know what you come up with. Chief posted a couple of sites awhile back; survival blogs. That type of reference may help.
Currently we keep about a month's worth but I am looking to stock more, much more.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
I'd say the vulnerability of plastic pouches for both the food and the reconstitution-water (and proven info on longevity) argues in favor of cans.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
When we went to Katrina-land for the hurricane cleanup we brought along 20-year-old MREs that were bought at a military auction. They were probably state-of-the-art tastewise back then, but I have to admit they weren't bad.
But the Gov't has newer ones that are even tasier---almost gourmet (not really). They were passing out boxes of these. They came with really tasty instant coffee, tea bags, chewing gum and a dessert, and utensils. You could eat them cold, but if you had water you just filled the separate cooking pouch with about a cup and a chemical reaction took place that made them steamy---even melted the plastic pouch! People ate so many of these that they were complaining they put on 30 pounds in a month. Well that, and the strees of losing ecverything and not having anything to do but sitting in a tent in 95 degree weather doesn't help either.
The plastic pouches were like the thickness of an inner tube and had to be cut with sharp knife.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
You guys are making those MRE's sound good, maybe I'll visit a military surplus store. They might have some sample jugs of the recycled urine from the space shuttle, yumm, sounds tasty. Frank.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
Would the pouches be rodent-proof?
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
Auer, probably the recycled urine pouches would keep them away.
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Freeze dried foods for emergencies
Ken, have you given any thought to doing a large portion of it yourself?
They sell dehydrators commercially that range from <$100 for 'consumer' models up to nearly the sky's the limit.
I have a friend who makes a LOT of jerky out of venison and other wild game, as well as making huge amounts of dried fruits as snack foods, and dried vegetables for cooking with later on.
I must say, I've had soup he made from 100% dehydrated foods, it tasted absolutely delicious, I wouldn't have known if he hadn't said so.
He dries the products then stores them in preserve (Mason) jars, some containing desiccant pouches, some not depend on the product.
It is extremely cost effective, especially if you do, as he does, and buy quantities of products when they are 'in season' and lower cost.
Best of luck.
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