Carefully Considering our Freeze Dried Foods

      

Augason Farms has been in business for fifty years.

   Thankfully, there are an abundance of companies who are now selling long lasting freeze dried food designed to be used in short term and long term emergencies or challenges.  However, when purchasing some for emergency use or for long term storage, it's really important to consider the present needs of your family, and to try to anticipate some of the future ones.
              Freeze dried food, company to company is not the same.  Although some of us find a company we like and with whom we can both recall and agree with their shipping charges, we might be better off buying a core of items from one company, and then other items we may need from another.

               I tend to buy Augason Farms freeze dried food here for long term storage.  I like the  easy use website with quick navigation, and I can order something quite quickly.   It can take a week or so to arrive, but when it does, they often call to see that we are satisfied with the product.  They run good specials, and always have dented cans on sale.  They indicate that their dented cans, so long as not dented along the seam, should still be fine. I have only ever received one can dented in transit, and we used that one first, and it was fine.   Sam's Club's website   www.samsclub.com  has started selling a limited line of Augason Farms food, often in multiple packages at a savings, for less postage (because it's already sitting at a Wal-Mart distribution center near you.)    Augasons is good value for a good price, but it does require that you learn a little something about combining such foods into palatable meals.  I don't mind this, and I also like the ability to combine some things with others, and be creative myself.  (As opposed to some other companies where the entire line is add water and your meals are ready.)   Augason Farms also sells the #10 cans of which I, with a large family am so fond, but they also sell an "everyday" sized can for smaller families or couples.  This makes using their line possible for everyone.   I stock up on fruits and vegetables primarily. I do have some of the baking supplies, rice, flour, and other things, but I purchase fewer of the meat and pre-made meals than do most people, simply because we live on a farm and can provide certain things in a pinch.  They also list nutritional content including sodium not only on each label, but on the website.  There is also a recipe section for each food which helps novices especially in how they might use some of these foods.  This was especially helpful to me in the beginning, who had never cooked with dehydrated foods before, and who wanted some skill in this, before an emergency where we were heavily dependent upon this food.  They also have a gluten free line, which is a godsend to those who are truly gluten intolerant, and who also need to prepare. Augason Farms has been in this business for 50 years, and many of their products last packaged, for 25 years. There is a chart on the website which discusses the shelf life of each product.  I like Augason's very much, but I notice as of this date that they do not sell freeze dried cabbage or freeze dried salmon or tuna, which are two items I would like to have.They also have a blended cheese powder, but no freeze dried grated cheddar, monterey jack, or mozzarella.

            Freeze Dry Guy is a veteran owned company.  They have been in business for 42 years.  They not only sell an interesting line, but they also sell something they call "Bug Out Buckets" which are packets designed for families or campers who may need to flee and take their food with them. They have a broad range of supplies, including freeze dried cottage cheese.  Of note, they have starting selling a low sodium line which is very important for many people.  Many people, especially those with a history of congestive heart failure. hypertension, hypothyroidism, and some kidney disorders, could easy get into trouble medically when making the switch from conventional foods to an emergency situation in which they received most or all of their food from canned or dehydrated means. Please take a look at their line. They even have a line of dehydrated for long term storage pet foods which could be especially helpful in an evacuation situation. Please visit their blog. There is an especially good section on the importance of low sodium foods with an eye to emergency planning.

             Those who reside in Canada are now lucky enough to have a company called Briden Solutions.  They not only have a website which takes Canadians through all the aspects of preparation, but they sell freeze dried food sold under the name Thrive, from Shelf Reliance. This benefits Canadians immensely because prior to this, Canadians were buying from US companies and having to hassle with conversion rates, extra postage, and the dreaded customs !  Please take a look.


 

Emergency Essentials has freeze dried food items you won't find elsewhere.

 

              I also buy supplies of a number of kinds from Emergency Essentials.  They have a lot of unusual things I can't get anywhere else. They stock freeze dried salmon for a limited time only. They stock low cinnamon almond granola etc.  Like Augason's, they sell #10 cans, and also super pails of some of the things you need in large quantities. I am fond of their seasonings, spices and particularly their sprout kits.  I have given their sprouting seeds kit with sprouting lid as a gift for family members several times.  They also have a freeze dried yogurt combo that I haven't seen anywhere else. Like most companies, they run regular specials, although sometimes, their specials run as much as 58% off the normal price.  They are presently running an inventory reduction sale.  Once, when I bought a lot of items on sale, I waited weeks for them.  However, I tend to buy things I need for the future and so this was not a particular hardship for me.

             I have also purchased emergency items and freeze dried food from Nitro-Pak Preparedness Center. They have a low price guarantee, and a number of unusual items. Of course they sell 50,000 items and so in terms of food products and preparedness gear, they are likely to have a suggestion for items you might need.
They are a great source for freeze dried ice cream, which is not bad at all.  They sell items as diverse as Kathmandu Curry freeze dried, along with packets of Beef and Broccoli stir-fry.   They are your source for #10 cans of freeze dried peaches, and freeze dried asparagus.   They have freeze dried mozzarella cheese and freeze dried pears.


           There are many other excellent suppliers of emergency food.  Make sure that you sample a few things from several companies, and make some decisions about your families needs and special preferences before you invest a large sum of money in your supplies. If  you have elderly relatives,l for example, give some thought to what types of food they can chew, even when reconstituted.  Stocking freeze dried granola with blueberries might not be ideal for an elderly person from a chewing, or from a choking standpoint, for example.  

           The great benefit to freeze dried food is that it allows families, even large families to relatively inexpensively to stock large amounts of food in a relatively small space. It also allows people to purchase food in a low inflationary period of time, and conceivably hold onto it for as many as 25 or even 30 years depending upon product. Of course rotation and consumption of the oldest supplies always makes sense.  Many of these foods are quite good when reconstituted with water as directed.   A few of them, like the granola in different forms and flavors, and the freeze dried strawberries, and even the freeze dried green beans or corn, are incredibly good snacks.  It also allows families to keep food in relatively large containers safely.  Once opened, the #10 large family sized can should be consumed within one year.  Keeping them for as many as 20-25 years is certainly possible with very little impact if any, to their nutritional value. There is only one item we have not consumed before it spoiled after opening.  We don't use a great deal of chili, other than in chili soup (we mix half chili reconstituted with about the same amount of tomato soup and serve with French bread.)  We were not able to consume the chili fast enough after opening, and some was thrown away.  Again, everyone should try either smaller sized versions or the big cans.  You should know whether you like dehydrated then reconstituted cauliflower with freeze dried reconstituted cheese sauce or not.


             I try to budget one hundred dollars a month for freeze dried food, and then we consume a certain amount of it monthly in order to see which items we like, and which ones are spiced in a manner we don't like or have a strange texture.  Although some websites would push you to acquire all your food supplies quickly, there are still good reasons to sample items and proceed intelligently.  If you need gluten free then Augason Farm's gluten free line is your best choice, but the rest of us need to pay attention to personal preferences also.  For one thing......I don't like Kathmandu Curry at all, but then, there are lots of people who do !

An Introduction to Freeze Dried Foods

         Most of the time when I think of this particular blog, I think that we have just begun and that I have a lot of ground to cover quickly and many subjects to tell you about, or to which to alert you.  Today, I realize that we have reached post number fifty !
          When I first began in preparedness I stocked lots of canned food, food in jars and I prepared to grow the rest of my own. Later I froze quite a bit of food in order to stay ahead.  I did not pursue freeze dried food until fairly recently because I did not truly understand it, thinking that it might have more preservatives than I wanted my family to have.  With extra research and education I have found that there are times where stocking industrial sized freeze dried foods may be very intelligent.

           There are a number of brands of freeze dried foods marketed. I tend to buy much of the Augason Farms line in part because it is sold through Sam's Club here in the US, and this keeps it more accessible to me, but there are many others. The beauty of freeze dried food in Industrially sized #10 cans is that larger amounts of food can be stored in smaller spaces, and can be stacked fairly well, and that many of these foods will remain nutritionally stable, edible and delicious FOR 25-30 years depending upon the product, the item, and whether you can store it in a moderated heated and cooled space.

Costco, in the US even sells a brand of emergency freeze dried food called Shelf Reliance, as seen above.

  
  These cans come in metal sealed cans, and a plastic lid either comes with them, or can be purchased for about 25 US cents per lid.  The unopened cans will last 20 plus years, and an opened one should be consumed within one year.
    The food does take a considerable amount of water to reconstitute, and depending upon brand, it can take some time. Some items reconstitute best using heat as well.  I hesitate to tell you which products and brands I like because among preppers there are many opinions.   I am not a big fan of the freeze dried lasagna, but I like the chili.   Others don't like the chili much unless things are added to it after being reconstituted, but they love the lasagna !
     These cans will last best if not allowed to become wet.  Sealed, they are also resistant to insects, including pantry moths.  A very wide brands of products, companies and foods are available.

   
      One can buy 20-25 servings of an entree, as we have above, or anything from freeze dried mozzarella cheese, freeze dried cottage cheese, blueberries, muffin mixes, pancake mixes, bread mixes, vegetables, fruits, chopped green peppers, chopped onions, etc.

This seafood chowder, for example, has a 25 year lifespan unopened.   There are many different types of soups, and brands.  Many of them are quite good.

 This particular item can be mixed up and used, or may be added to cakes, cookies, entrees and other foods during cooking to impact flavor and texture.


 It takes a little practice to rehydrate foods and then add them to meals, but it's well worth the practice and the effort.

     Augason Farms has recipes one can download from their site.

     www.augasonfarms.com



      Augason Farms also sells an entire line of gluten free foods, which is very important to any prepper, or any other person who has celiac disease, or celiac-sprue as we used to call it.  Please look at their gluten free line of foods.  This can make purchasing it, and having it available for families so much easier than navigating elsewhere.

A broad selection of gluten free foods are available from Utah, USA based Augason Farms, a family owned business.   www.augasonfarms.com

Correct Use of Oxygen Absorbers

 The following article is so clear and so well written that I didn't want to take the chance of writing something less clear using this, and seven other references.

  On the internet, this was found at:

http://www.shelfreliance.com/c/university/article/about-oxygen-absorbers

  This is a very timely post for me.   Oxygen absorbers can be purchased from a variety of places by running an internet search for  "buy oxygen absorbers".    I generally buy mine from Augason Farms.  (www.augasonfarms.com)

Of course,  www.shelfreliance.com   sells a lot of very useful preparedness supplies also.

End of my post:





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submitted by Denis Korn

learntoprepare.com

I introduced the use of oxygen absorbers into the emergency food and outdoor recreational foods industries in the early 1990s.  I did it because oxygen absorbers offer an excellent and very effective technology, developed in Japan, to ensure a very low residual oxygen level in appropriate containers, and it was very easy and relatively inexpensive to use.

At that time, the goal was to achieve a residual oxygen level of 2% or below for the canning of shelf-stable dried foods.  This was the level required by military specifications for long-term foods.  Oxidation and an atmosphere inhibiting microbial growth are significantly reduced at these low levels.  The military specified the #10 can for their long term storage of dried products.  By utilizing the appropriate size oxygen absorber, the residual oxygen levels could actually be reduced to 0.1% or less – a significant drop in oxygen levels.
It is important to note that oxygen absorber sachets were designed to be used by industrial manufacturers and packers of food products with the necessary expertise in working with the absorbers.  While simple to use, if the absorbers are not handled properly or sized correctly, you have wasted your time and money and have not achieved the expected outcome.  I have seen and heard of numerous situations where individuals have inappropriately utilized oxygen absorbers, and they will unfortunately not accomplish the results anticipated.  If you are going to use these devices, I recommend following the instructions in this article and talking to those who are educated in their proper use.
Why use an oxygen absorber?
There are essentially two reasons one would use an oxygen absorber – the prevention of oxidation, and the prevention of food damage by infestation.  This, of course, helps to increase the shelf life of most foods one chooses for food storage.  We'll start by discussing oxidation; infestation is addressed further on in this article.
Oxidation is responsible for the deterioration of foods, including the loss of flavor and taste, discoloration, deterioration and rancidity of fats and oils, texture change, and nutritional loss.  Some foods are more susceptible to oxidation deterioration than others.  It is important to know how susceptible the foods you are storing are to oxidation, because, as you will see, the type of container you store your foods in may at some point no longer be an adequate oxygen barrier.  Unfortunately, the issue of keeping foods in an oxygen-free environment is not easily understood by the do-it-yourself preparedness planner.  There is so much misinformation, speculation, confusion, and factual error that the average planner is at a disadvantage in learning the proper techniques.  Hopefully this article and others, along with the preparedness planner's careful research of trustworthy sources, will produce reliable results.
Determining the size of oxygen absorber
A number of sachet sizes are available, and the correct sachet will depend upon the container size and the void area (the empty space between the food item particles) in that container.  IMPORTANT: The Ageless brand of oxygen absorbers assigns their sizes with numbers that correspond to the oxygen “absorption capacity” in milliliters (ml) – this is the actual amount of oxygen that can be absorbed by the sachet.  Other companies may designate their sizes by the “equivalent air volume” in milliliters – this is the total air volume you have in the void area that includes oxygen, nitrogen, and a very small amount of other gases.  These are two different figures that it is important for you to know.  For your information, 1 gallon is equal to 3,785.4 cubic centimeters.
After you ascertain the void area of your container, you will have determined the equivalent air volume.  Since oxygen is approximately 20% of the normal air volume, divide the equivalent air volume by 5 to find the “absorption capacity” of each size sachet.  An Ageless Z100 will absorb 100 ml of oxygen contained in 500ml of air volume.
Obviously, a food item that has a large volume or irregular size will produce a larger void in a container; dried mushrooms, large beans, and certain dried vegetables would be an example of this.  The void in a container of powders, flours, small grains, and small beans would be less.
In general, camping food pouches use a Z30 or Z50, a #10 can a Z300 or Z500, and a 5 to 6 gallon bucket a Z1000 or Z2000, depending on the size of the food products and the void area.
Because only oxygen is absorbed by these packets, there will still be an approximately 80% inert nitrogen atmosphere in the container.  This will cause a partial vacuum effect, meaning that pouches will shrink slightly and become more compact, and in buckets there will be concave effect (top and sides will move slightly inward).
Advantages of quality oxygen absorbers
    * Reduces oxygen in an airtight container down to 0.1% or less to prolong a product’s shelf life.
    * Prevents oxidation and mold, bacteria, microorganisms, insect infestation and the like, which thrive in an oxygen-rich packaging environment.
    * Simple to use (when done properly).
    * Keeps food products from losing freshness, color, taste, flavor, wholesome goodness, and important nutritional value.
    * Conventional preservatives, antioxidants, gas flushing, and vacuum packing often are not effective because they do not completely eliminate oxygen.
    * Conventional and artificial preservatives may be undesirable to many and may produce adverse health affects.
    * Oxygen absorbers are safe to use.  They have been tested and found to be practically non-toxic.  The LD50 Value of the contents is safer than salt.
    * The sachet can be discarded through ordinary disposal methods, with no special treatment required.

Selection of a packaging container for use with an oxygen absorber
Of all the issues relating to the use of oxygen absorbers, this is the most confusing and misrepresented among the do-it-yourself group.  Remember, absorbers were designed with specific instructions for use by manufacturers and commercial packers.
Points to consider:
    * Oxygen absorbers were designed to work when inserted into cans, bottles, and film that offer a variety of airtight characteristics.
    * When using cans, make sure there is no leakage along seams.  While this container is not as practical to use for the do-it-yourself group, it is without a doubt the most reliable.
    * Glass bottles should have a tight seal between the bottle and closure.
    * Film pouches must be designed to have a negative to very low oxygen permeability.
    * Films have both an oxygen and vapor permeability rating.
    * The permeability or rate at which oxygen is transmitted through a film or material determines the length of time the container will remain oxygen free.
    * The permeability of metal and glass is zero.  It is the seams and closures that determine any leakage.
    * The permeability of aluminum foil is zero.
    * There are hundreds of combinations of various films for pouches.  No single barrier material is adequate for a pouch; it requires a combination of barrier materials to be laminated together.
    * Film materials with the proper barrier characteristics must be laminated together to create a pouch that will have a low permeability for an oxygen absorber to work properly.
    * The best pouches will include an aluminum foil barrier as one of the layers.
    * Pouches with evaporated or coated aluminum are not as good as solid foil.
    * While there are various plastic and nylon barriers that have a low permeability, they all will eventually allow the transmission of oxygen, and the oxygen levels in the pouches will increase.
    * The oxygen absorber can only absorb so much oxygen, and it too has a limited shelf life.
    * A general rule of thumb for a non-solid foil, laminated, high barrier pouch is a 3 year barrier viability life.
    * Low barrier pouches have a viability of 3 to 6 months depending on the film material.  Think “mylar” balloons filled with helium.
    * A laminated pouch with a solid foil barrier is generally between 4 and 7 years.
The issue with pouches
Inadequate or faulty seams and rough handling can cause what is known as pin holing or seam breakage in pouches.  The pouch has lost its integrity, and its low permeability rate has been compromised.  Excessive folding and squeezing pouches into buckets, too much handling, too much weight on a pouch, sharp food products within the pouch poking through, and other factors can contribute to large or even minute holes and tears.  Pouches with oxygen absorbers must be stored and handled properly to achieve the longest possible shelf life.
Also keep in mind that, because the container now has an oxygen absorber, an atmospheric pressure differential has been created (this is the tendency for the inside pressure to want to be equal to the outside pressure).  This means there will be an extra “pulling effect” on the seams and closures of the containers to “absorb” the outside atmosphere.  This is another reason for proper handling.
Plastic buckets and oxygen absorbers
While plastic buckets are much thicker (70 to 90 mil) than plastic laminated pouches, they are still plastic (polyethylene).  Oxygen will eventually be transmitted through the bucket.  Depending upon the thickness and seam stability of the bucket, the general rule would indicate a 2 to 5 year barrier viability life.  This means that in this period of time, the atmosphere in the bucket will equalize with the atmosphere outside the bucket.  Plastic bucket seams are susceptible to the “pulling effect” mentioned above and can cause oxygen seepage into the container.  Also, depending upon the environment, plastic buckets will eventually absorb moisture and odors.
TAKE NOTE: Without proper testing and industrial controls, residual oxygen levels in do-it-yourself packaging are based on assumption, speculation, guessing, and probability!   If you have access to equipment that tests residual oxygen levels in your container, you may want to consider some spot checking.
How to use an oxygen absorber
Using an oxygen absorber is relatively easy.  Make sure you are aware of all the procedures and characteristics of storage, sizing, containers, handling, and other fine points covered in this article.  Economical and safe to use, oxygen absorbers offer a way to create an oxygen-free environment, helping to improve shelf life.
Simply put your food in a high gas barrier film package, metal can, or glass bottle, put the appropriate size absorber in the container, and seal the container properly.
Points to consider:
    * Depending on the size of absorber, it will take 1 to 4 days to have produced an oxygen free (<0.1%) atmosphere.
    * Absorbers are packed in master high barrier bags of various quantities (depending on their size).  Check the tightness of the vacuum packed master bag.  If you hang the master bag from one end, the packets should not slip.  If they do, do not use that master bag.
    * After opening the master bag, spread out the needed quantity of packets.  The sachets that are not used should be resealed in a master bag or discarded if their exposure to air exceeds 4 hours.
    * Remaining sachets should be resealed in the master bag, or another high barrier film pouch or container, after pressing out the air.  A well-sealed glass container will work.
    * Do not pile up absorbers in a tray or holding container.  This may cause excessive heat build up.
    * Do not remove absorbers one by one, leaving the master bag open.
    * Handle master bags properly and store in a cool (below 85 degrees [F]) and dark place.
    * Do not use zip-lock plastic bags or other flimsy containers to store unused absorbers.
    * Ideally, if you obtain your absorbers while relatively fresh, use them no later than 6 to 12 months after receipt.
Prevention of damage by microorganisms (mold and aerobic [oxygen dependent] bacteria), insects, worms, and their eggs
    * By producing an oxygen-free (<0.1% for the Ageless absorber) environment, live organisms cannot grow and are eradicated.
    * Oxygen absorbers prevent the growth of microorganisms.
    * The oxygen-free packaging allows you to prevent both adult insects and their eggs from spoiling and damaging foods.
    * Testing that utilized the Ageless absorber found that all of the eggs, larvae, pupae, and grown insect of the Rust-red flour beetle, Weevil, Azuki weevil, and Almond moth were killed within 14 days – at 77 degrees (F).  The proper container with a zero to very low permeability rate and no holes or seam damage must be used.
The information contained in this article is general and should not take the place of the user’s own application tests.  Conditions of use vary depending on the specific applications of each user.  The user is responsible for the proper calculations and techniques of absorber application.

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Rational Preparedness 1 09/05 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio

Rational Preparedness 1 09/05 by Prepper Podcast | Blog Talk Radio
(Direct Link to "Rational Preparedness" Episode 1)


UPDATED LINK INFORMATION:  Listen to our program at this link:

 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/rational-preparedness

Episode One:
 When the Rational Preparedness show got started in early September, 2011, I was not prepared for all of the activity.  Very quickly there was a fair bit of commentary and feedback, and it became clear that I would need a place where I could clarify some of the things said on the show, and where I could list links and information concerning some of the products and items I use in the course of setting up a family in terms of preparedness. This will therefore be the accompanying blog.  Probably the best way to use it, is to listen to each episode first, and then come to the blog in order to get clarification and websites.  In a sense, it can take notes for you. The blue underlined Prepper Podcast lines at the top of most posts will take you directly to the Rational Preparedness episode, so that you can relisten if you wish, or refer others as well. Welcome and thank you for the positive feedback as I attempt the important task of getting as much information on preparedness to the general public as quickly as I can.

This first episode of "Rational Preparedness" first aired on September 5, 2011
For those of you who asked about the products I mentioned, these are the websites:

I do not recommend or tell you about anything our family has not used personally, or that we haven't paid our own money to use.

sigsauer.com      SigSauer is a world renowned manufacturer of the weapons of choice for military,global law enforcement and commercial uses.

www.yahoogroups.com         search:  preparedness, survivalism      A host of groups of every kind to support your interests in this topic.


jawhorse.com         Rockwell's Jawhorse RK 9000.   A portable clamping workstation which weighs only 43 lbs. but has a clamping force of 2200 lbs. and a range of 37".

http://bigberkey.net        Time tested for 150 years, British Berkefeld Systems has been the choice of missionaries all over the world, to keep their drinking water safe.

www.augasonfarms.com       Providing everyday quality food for storage for over 30 years.

versaseri.yolasite.com     or simply google "Veraseri Designs"      A full service design house specializing in one of a kind furniture, and custom fabrication.