Freeze-Dried Foods

A variety of long-term emergency preparedness foods, some gluten-free, with a shelf life of up to five years. Each pouch serves two people. Most pouches reconstitute with water only; no cooking required unless noted.

What is freeze drying?
Freeze drying is a process used for instant or quick rehydration of certain dried foods. The first step in freeze drying is to rapidly freeze the food. The water content, now frozen, is turned directly into a gas and withdrawn from the food during the next steps, vacuum and low-heat, thus avoiding the shrinkage. Freeze-dried products include grains, beans, fruits, meats, seafood, pastas, vegetables, and eggs. Using this process, 98% of the moisture is removed.

Key advantages of freeze-dried products include:

• The original taste and nutritional value of the food is retained due to very low heat temperature that is used.
• Foods are quick and easy to prepare.
• There's no waste.
• It's an ideal method for maintaining flavors of meat, poultry, and fish.
• Extends the shelf life of the product.
• No preservatives are necessary.
• Results in a super-lightweight, compact product.
• A wide variety of foods are available.
• Use hot or cold water to rehydrate.

What is dehydration?
The standard method of dehydrating vegetables and spices is to place the items on a conveyor belt and run them through an oven at a high temperature for a relatively short time. About 90 to 95% of the moisture is removed.

What are proper storage techniques?
It is crucial that you store food properly:

• Avoid exposure to heat and moisture; make sure foods are not accessible to insects or animals.
• Never store food directly on the ground or on concrete floors--moisture can build up inside containers.
• Avoid such storage places that experience temperature build-up such as attics, garages, or car trunks. Ideally, storage should not exceed room temperature for extended periods.
• Store in a location that's accessible so that periodic inspections are easy and you can rotate supplies.
• Avoid excessive and rough handling of pouch and canned foods.