Survival Food – Freeze Dried & MRE

Utah State University has a classic food storage  advice document on it’s website.

The document titled “Food Storage in the Home” set the standard for food storage advice for years to come. Published by  Charlotte P. Brennand, PhD, and Deloy G. Hendricks, PhD of the Department of Nutrition & Food Sciences, “Food Storage in the Home”  focuses on “Reducing Waste and Maintaining the Quality of Stored Food”

They analyzed over 10,000 food storage systems in Utah in their research.

The concise 20 page pdf file covers what food to store, the storage area, and storage life.  A surprising observation I found in this document regarding how much food to store was;

If you were to sample most Utah family food storage programs in November, about 45 percent would have adequate stores of food for one year. If the same families were resampled in May only 20 percent would still have a years supply on hand. Families which did not have a years supply in May had used food from storage and had no garden or orchard to replenish the supply during the winter months.

They go on to recommend you have a long term food storage that has a peak 18 months supply if you are planning to always have a years supply. This makes sense if you are utilizing a garden approach to supplement your food supply.

What was even more shocking though was this finding on page six;

Families that were resampled and still had a years supply in May did so because they never used food from their storage system. We have analyzed over 10,000 food storage systems in Utah and found that many people are under the illusion that food lasts forever. Their food storage systems are designed so that a years supply is purchased and stored until needed. Consequently they have some stored food that is 10, 20, and 25 years old. In view of what is known about shelf-life, these systems are quite wasteful and inefficient.

Under this illusion what people thought they had, a years supply, disappeared when they went to use it.  Not a comforting thought. They had solved the problem by not drawing on their reserve but in the end they had no reserve, the food was inedible.

This would not be the case with freeze dried food however. Having freeze dried food that is 10, 20, and 25 years old in a food storage area means the food is still good and delicious to eat.

How many people who start something are able to follow thru and stick to the plan for months or years to come?

The US Department of Agriculture publishes a report monthly titled “Cost of Food at Home at Four Levels”.

This report shows the monthly food cost for individuals of various ages and for a family of four.  The budgets are calculated based on the nutritional requirements for dietary intake reference guidelines. In the USDA’s reference document “The Low-Cost, Moderate-Cost, and Liberal Food Plans, 2007″ the “food baskets” chosen are all representative of the requirements except;

To meet the recommendations for vitamin E, potassium, and sodium would have resulted in market baskets that are very different from typical consumption (in the case of vitamin E and potassium) or would require changes in food-manufacturing practices (in the case of sodium).

What they are saying is that what Americans typically eat and what is available from producers at the supermarket is too far off to select a basket that meets the Vitamin E, potassium, and sodium requirements.  These exceptions, while interesting to note, tell us that all the other dietary requirements have been met in these food baskets.

The “thrifty” food plan on the other hand;

Having more vegetables, fruits, and milk products and less other foods
in the TFP market basket for the family of four, compared with their reported consumption,
is not surprising; because, the TFP represents a nutritious diet.

The monthly home food “moderate plan” budget for a family of four, with older children, in January 2009 was $973.80.

The “liberal plan” January home food monthly budget was $1182.50.

For 3 months the home food budget  comes to $2921.40 and $3547.50 for moderate and liberal plans respectively.

Compare this to the 3 month Platinum reserve from Nitro-pak that cost $3375.  The platinum reserve supports four adults at 2000 calories per day.

Some people erroneously think freeze dried food is very expensive.  But when you look at the facts the cost of a freeze dried food reserve is no more expensive than the average food budget.

Even more important, most freeze dried food reserves offered are prepared meals so no effort to cook them is required. Adding hot water is all it takes to have a hot meal in minutes. Even if you don’t have hot water you can still eat the food cold.

I have previously shown the cost of bulk staples is deceptive once you factor in the cost of cooking and preparing meals. You need effort, equipment, more time, and more fuel.  Any of these can be a precious commodity in a disaster.  How valuable will your time be in a crisis? Freeing up time to work on other challenges could make a huge difference in your survival.

Finally a bulk staples only food plan always has the risk you will get caught with low inventory, your re-order point,  just at the time a shortage of supply occurs. With  freeze dried food the reserve is not touched, never depleted. Only when your normal food supply is disrupted do you draw on it.

Having a diverse food storage plan is wise. Bulk staples, MRE, freeze dried food all have their different benefits. But do not make a poor decision on the balance of these choices based on a wrong perception of cost. Value is more important than cost, looking at facts for the total cost of an option is vital to making the correct decision on your long term food storage plan.

One challenge for having an effective food reserve plan is “up front” cost.

Although freeze dried food in a bulk food reserve package will cost the same per meal as the average cost of a home cooked meal, buying a 3 month or 6 month food reserve is a large “up front” investment.

However there are ways to purchase gradually over time.

Mountain house freeze dried food can be purchased in boxes of six #10 cans.

Mountain House Variety Pak

These boxes contain up to 30 meals and some online suppliers offer free shipping for a single box.

The cost per meal compared to buying a 3 month or 6 month food reserve at one time will rise 25% to 40%.   So the best economical choice is still to buy a large reserve at one time.

However if you want a long term food reserve you can build up gradually, Mountain House cases are an option.

You could lower your daily food cost by buying several months supply of bulk rice and grains. As long as you use them regularly and don’t let them go to waste. However it is impossible to know just when you are going to need a food reserve, will it be 5 weeks or 5 months or 5 years? So if you have a food reserve that lasts 25 years you have a better investment as it will be ready when you need it.

Family food reserves for disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, pandemics, and ice storms have recently been sought after as an investment against an economic depression.

The threat of prolonged economic hardship is becoming more real each week. Last week more than 100,000 jobs were lost in the US.

The fact that these troubles are being driven by a lack of stability in the financial system has created a great concern on how we should invest our resources for a more and more likely ‘rainy day’.

Freeze dried food reserves are getting a lot of attention as an attractive investment for economic depression survival for some important reasons;

• You do not need to change your cooking and eating habits. You keep the food reserve that stores for up to 25 years in reserve.  You do not need to eat from the reserve until you need it.

• You draw from your reserve as you need it. If there is no food shortage or budget crisis, you do not draw from your food reserve. You only need to stock up one time with a 3 month or a one year food reserve and then you use that reserve only when it is needed.

• Meals versus raw ingredients. Freeze dried food in Mountain House #10 cans consists of cooked entrees and side dishes that you only need to add water (hot or cold) to eat.  In tough times you want to conserve as much of your time and energy as possible to support your family.

• No Waste. People who try buying bulk food often are not prepared to adjust to the new cooking style and do not store the food properly. The end result is what appeared to cost you less ends up costing you a lot more when you throw a lot of the bulk food away.

• Freeze dried food costs about the same in a reserve as most people spend normally on groceries for the same number of meals. The upfront cost of buying a 3 month or one year food reserve is money well spent when you realize that you will have the flexibility to use your investment when you need it. The fact that freeze dried food has a long storage life and is very easy to consume means little waste.

Freeze dried food reserve sales have skyrocketed in the last 4 months as the economic crisis has evolved and it’s impact is becoming clearer. Many see the benefits of freeze dried food and understand the value.

Freeze dried food reserves represent a long term ‘bank’ of food that actually increases the food supply for all. Buying tons of bulk food and then throwing a lot of spoiled food away can be considered a wasteful hoarding of food on the other hand.

While we can all hope and work hard for things to get better, it is best to be prepared for the worst.

Most people find it overwhelming to take action to have a long term food storage to be prepared for disasters and economic uncertainty.

They read lots of information online that tells them they have to radically change their lifestyle to support food storage. The people who write these food storage advice articles are often already in a lifestyle suited to what they preach.

There is nothing wrong with their advice, it simply doesn’t apply to the vast majority of us urban dwelling working parents with kids who have tons of activities and school projects to do every week.

How to Get Started With Your Food Storage is one of those interview articles where the person has a lot of home time to bake bread, use milk powder, and spend tons of time cooking from scratch. This is great if you are in a lifestyle that supports it but for most of us that is not the case.

Answering the question about how often the food storage is used the person replies;

Now it’s natural. But I would say every meal. I make my own bread so at lunch we have that, at breakfast if we have cereal or something then it has the powdered milk. And then dinner would have usually milk or onions or something. I use it all the time.

Further they are asked on advice to those getting started in food storage since it is “a hard step” ;

So what I would say is just pick one thing that you’re going to start with. And one of the things I think is easiest to start with is powdered milk

Okay, so I want to be prepared and I start with powered milk. How many months or years go by before we are ready? How long before most of us just give up?

On the other hand you can order a freeze dried food storage family unit and be ready in a week when it arrives.

You will have 3 months worth of ready to eat meals for your family that costs about the same as the average American family pays now for the same meals in groceries. The food will store for 25 years so if you don’t need it this year or next, it will still be there for you whenever you need it.

Those who are supporting their families with a traditional food storage lifestyle are inspirations to us all.

Those who want to be prepared next week and buy a freeze dried food storage have also done a great thing for their family and friends.

I found this great food storage calculator at;

LDS Food Storage Calculator

As I mentioned previously LDS has alot of knowledge on preparedness and many survival food stores main customers are members of LDS who are looking for a year supply of food.

Fortunately the calculator allows you to input decimals for number of people. If you want to know how much for for one person for 3 months, just enter 0.25 into the number of people box and select calculate.

Now as readers of my blog know that for disaster preparedness for most of us, freeze dried food is the better choice.

Most people do not have the time or inclination to start storing staples listed on the site and spending 4-5 hours a day cooking with them regularly while you use up and replenish your storage. Eating one year old food all the time does not appeal to me nor is it necessary. However some may have a lifestyle that supports using stored staples and that is great for them.

Some however may not be able to afford the amount of freeze dried food and MRE they desire to be prepared. There is also some value in diversifying your food storage. So you may want to consider some stored staples that you can reasonable consume and replenish without it going bad and throwing it out.

So the LDS food calculator is a good tool for your calculations. Please note however that you should be accustomed to the food diet that the staples will provide as many survival experts agree a significant change in diet can cause severe health problems under stress in a disaster or desperate time.

I did a calculation on one year for a family of 4 with children over 7 years. The results were ;

Total Grains     1200 lbs

Total Fats            52 lbs

Total Legumes    240 lbs

Total Sugars       240 lbs

Total Dairy         300 lbs

As you can see foods with the water in them are quite heavy. With freeze dried food 98% of the water is removed and can either be stored separately or gathered from rainwater over a year, there is much more flexibility and portability options. The calculation on the website indicated only 56 gallons which way off, you will need a ton of water to prepare and cook these food staples.

Freeze dried food as a survival food is a better choice for most.

Here is a great comment on being prepared from Tricia. We all learn from experience, and those who have experienced the worst are wisely the best prepared. Thanks for sharing, Tricia.

Hi, my husband and I have been building up a supply of food for about 8 years. After Hurricane Ivan hit and left us with nothing we had to start over. Red Cross didn’t get to us for over a week, when the military came in they passed out mre’s and water. We ate the mre’s and going on the second week I was having trouble getting them down. I found it very hard to continue eating them. When we finally found a home (8 mths later) we had been lucky enough to have a whole lot of space (we had to start over). We purchased freezed dried #10 canned ( Honeyville) of veggies (onion, carrot, celery, peas, corn, potato flakes) fruit (strawberries, apples, peaches, raspberries, blue berries, bananas), eggs (egg whites, egg yolks, whole egg). I filled the pantry with alot of things like Olives, large can chicken, tuna, #10 canned tomatoes, chili, all kinds of canned fruit, baked beans, our thing was we need enough for family, our animals and neighbors. We buy rice in 50lb bags and we vacuum seal gallon size amounts along with oxygen removers (this is very important), we do this for noodles, sugar, flour, grits, dry milk, etc… Next is the beans, every kind, beans go along way we put them in a quart size zippie bag and again we vacuum seal with oxygen removers. We stocked up on everything we use from bathroom supplies, toliet paper, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc… to cases of canned bread (special order) & cases of canned butter (special order) I think you get the point. We vacuum seal everything but the cans. I have everything we need to enjoy our meals. I bought Bulk Foods (sams club & other stores that sell the #10 cans). We have the convenience of not needing to go shopping for 7-10 years. Since we lost everything we started over with furniture, we did not buy any end tables, etc.. instead we bought those nice big blue buckets with lids. I have stacked (2 high) 8 full containers behind my sofa (the fit was perfect just under the full length of the sofa) my husband cut a pcs of plywood to fit the top next I put a nice cover (sheet) over it and put some nick nacks on top so you don’t even know its there, did the same thing with the love seat and my end tables are containers. When our pantry was loaded and my laundry room cabinets where full I had to put the food some place. I also use a dehydrator for jerky and fruit (short term). For the question about how would we move this if we had to move no problem, because of Hurricane Ivan we had to purchase an RV (30′) it would be easy to move these items into the RV. Anything major hits us either by Mother nature or by Man we have our list, Animal & Things (every day items), Medication, Cleaning Supplies, Emerg 1st Aid, Emerg 1st Aid for snake bites, bathroom items, Lots of Bleach, Food, Water Purifiers (2), Rechargeable Batteries, Extra Gas, Elec & Duct Tape, Flash Lights & Lanterns, Propane, Propane Heater, RV and/or Tent & Supplies, Tools, Solar Panel, Camouflage Clothes & Nets, Generator, Oil/Gas, Candles, Matches, Batteries AA, AAA, D’s, C’s,
Extra Water Filters for Purifier, Entertainment (brd games, dice, cards etc…), Protection (ect….). We do expect the worse to happen and I have an evacuation plan list that we sent out to our close friends and family that is more detailed (a place to meet up, road maps that are marked and several ways to get where we need to go. Some people may think this is really bad but thats okay because there are a whole lot of people like us doing the same thing (food for thought).

Mountain House Food does NOT contain monosodium glutamate (MSG).

I saw a blog post suggesting some Mountain House meals did. They referred to a website (Inter-net grocer) that showed MSG listed in the contents of some of the Mountain House freeze dried food meals.

I was sure there is no MSG as I dislike any food that has MSG in it. I spend extra time when I am shopping to read the labels checking for MSG.

To make sure I had the correct information, I emailed Mountain House customer service and asked them to make a clear statement on their freeze dried food.

Here is the response;

Melanie

Here is the up to date ingredient list that was attached;

Mountain House Entrees

Chicken Stew:

Potatoes, Cooked Chicken, Carrots, Peas, Corn Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Modified Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Soy Wheat Gluten Protein, Dehydrated Onions, Sea Salt, Chicken Fat, Sugar, Spices, Soybean Oil, Garlic Powder, and Spice Extract.

Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat.

Rice & Chicken:

Instant Rice, Cooked Chicken, Corn Oil, Pimientos, Salt, Modified Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Soy Wheat Gluten Protein, Chicken Fat, Sugar, Onion Powder, Spices, Citric Acid, Soybean Oil, Turmeric, and Spice Extract.

Contains: Soy, Wheat.

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce:

Enriched Spaghetti (durum semolina, niacin, iron [ferrous sulfate], thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Tomato Paste, Beef, and contains 1.5% or less of the following:  Textured Soy Flour, Salt, Sugar, Dehydrated Cheese (cheddar cheese [milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], cream, salt, sodium phosphate, lactic acid), Hydrolyzed Corn Torula and Brewers Yeast Wheat Gluten Soy Protein, Spices, Onion Powder, Flavoring, Garlic Powder, Soybean Oil, and Caramel Color.

Contains: Wheat, Soy, Milk

Chicken Ala King:

Cooked Chicken, Mushrooms, Pimientos, Green Peppers, Nonfat Dry Milk, Celery, Corn Oil, Wheat Flour, Chicken Base (chicken including natural chicken juices, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed corn gluten, dried whey, spice extractives and onion powder, autolyzed yeast extract, turmeric), Salt, Chicken Fat, Sugar, Modified Cornstarch. Yeast Extract, Safflower Oil, Natural Flavor, Onion Powder, Spices, Citric Acid, and Ascorbic Acid.  Precooked Noodles:  Durum Semolina, Whole Eggs, and Salt.

Contains: Milk, Wheat and Egg

Beef Stew:

Potatoes, Cooked Beef, Carrots, Peas, Corn Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Hydrolyzed Corn Torula and Brewers Yeast Wheat Gluten Soy Protein, Dehydrated Onions, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Soybean Oil, Garlic Powder, and Spice Extract.

Contains: Wheat, Soy

Chicken Polynesian:

Cooked Chicken, Pineapple (contains sugar and citric acid), Precooked Rice, Worcestershire Sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, anchovies, tamarind, natural flavor), Modified Cornstarch, Brown Sugar, Green Peppers, Orange Juice Concentrate, Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Sugar, Pimientos, Tomato Paste, Salt, Chicken Base (chicken including natural chicken juices, chicken fat, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed corn gluten, dried whey, onion powder and spice extractives, autolyzed yeast extract, turmeric), Soy Sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt), Sesame/Soybean Oil, Yeast Extract, Safflower Oil, Natural Flavors, and Parsley Flakes.

Contains: Fish, Milk, Wheat and Soy

Beef Stroganoff w/Noodles:

Cooked Beef, Sour Cream (cultured cream, milk, whey, sodium phosphate, guar gum, carrageenan, calcium sulfate, locust bean gum, and cultures), Mushrooms, Modified Cornstarch, Corn Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk, Dehydrated Onions, Salt, Hydrolyzed Corn Torula and Brewers Yeast Wheat Gluten Soy Protein, Lemon Juice Concentrate and Lemon Oil, Beef Base (roasted beef and concentrated beef stock, hydrolyzed corn gluten, soy, corn, and wheat protein, sugar, dried whey, and yeast extract), Flavoring, Molasses, Spice, Garlic Powder, and Soybean Oil.  Precooked Noodles:  Durum Semolina, Whole Eggs, and Salt.

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Soy, Egg

Beef Teriyaki:

Cooked Beef, Soy Sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt), Red Peppers, Pineapple (contains sugar and citric acid), Waterchestnuts, Brown Sugar, Mushrooms, Modified Corn Starch, Sherry Wine (contains sulfite), Onions, Pea Pods, Onion Powder, Sesame/Soybean Oil, Seasonings (yeast extract, safflower oil, natural flavor), Garlic Powder, Spices, Salt.  Rice:  Precooked Rice.

Contains: Soy, Wheat

Chicken Teriyaki:

Cooked Chicken, Soy Sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt), Brown Sugar, Bamboo Shoots, Mushrooms, Red Peppers, Green Peas, Modified Cornstarch, Sherry Wine (contains sulfite), Onions, Green Peppers, Garlic Powder, Spice, Salt.  Rice:  Precooked Rice.

Contains: Soy, Wheat

Lasagna w/Meat Sauce:

Tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride), Tomato Paste, Enriched Macaroni Product (durum semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Cooked Beef, Dehydrated Onions, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Flavoring, Garlic Powder, and Dehydrated Parsley Flakes.  Cheese Blend:  Mozzarella Cheese Flavoring (mozzarella cheese [cultured milk, salt, enzymes], calcium caseinate, corn oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sodium caseinate, salt, glucono-delta-lactone, maltodextrin, sodium aluminum phosphate, butter [cream], natural and artificial flavors), and Dehydrated Parmesan and Romano (made from cow’s milk) Cheeses (part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes).

Contains: Wheat, Milk, Soy

Chili Mac w/Beef:

Cooked Beef, Enriched Macaroni (durum semolina, niacin, iron [ferrous sulfate], thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Kidney Beans, Tomato Paste, Chili Seasoning (chili pepper and other spices, dehydrated onion and garlic, hydrolyzed soybean protein, potassium chloride, paprika, sugar, maltodextrin, beef extract, disodium inosinate and disodium guanylate, autolyzed yeast extract, caramel color, natural flavors, citric acid), Modified Corn starch and Contains 2% or Less of the Following: Salt, Dehydrated Onions, and Flavoring.

Contains: Wheat, Soy

Noodles & Chicken:

Precooked Noodles:  Durum Semolina, Whole Eggs, and Salt.  Noodles & Chicken Sauce:  Cooked Chicken, Sweet Red Peppers, Modified Corn Starch, Chicken Fat, and Contains 2% or Less of: Chicken Base (chicken including natural chicken juices, maltodextrin, dried whey), Salt, Sugar, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (hydrolyzed corn soy wheat gluten protein, soybean oil), Flavoring (autolyzed yeast extract, safflower oil, naturla flavor), Onion Powder, Dried Parsley, Spices, and Turmeric (for color).

Contains: Wheat, Eggs, Milk, Soy

Long Grain & Wild Rice Pilaf:

Long Grain White Rice, Mushrooms, Onions, Broccoli, Green Beans, Long Grain Brown Rice, Red Peppers, Wild Rice, Butter (cream, salt), Roasted Garlic Puree, Vegetable Flavor (yeast extract, natural flavors, wheat maltodextrin, sugar, soy sauce [soybeans, wheat, salt] dried onion, tapioca maltodextrin, dried carrots, salt, butter, dried garlic, spice), Modified Corn Starch, Broth Seasonings (hydrolyzed soy and corn protein, dextrose, maltodextrin, whey powder, autolyzed yeast, torula yeast, onion powder, turmeric), Salt, Mushroom Flavor (maltodextrin, modified corn starch, mushrooms, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oil, natural flavors), Parsley, Granulated Garlic, and Canola Oil. Parmeasan Cheese: Patsturized Milk, Salt, Cheese Culture, Enzymes, Powdered Cellulose (to prevent caking), Sorbic Acid (preservative)

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Soy

Sweet & Sour Pork w/Rice:

Cooked Pork, Pineapple in Light Syrup (sugar and citric acid), Green Peppers, Vinegar, Onions, Red Peppers, Brown Sugar, Sugar, Modified Cornstarch, Salt, Chicken Base (chicken including natural chicken juices, chicken fat, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed corn gluten, dried whey, onion powder and natural flavorings, autolyzed yeast extract, turmeric), Worcestershire Sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, caramel color, garlic powder, sugar, spices, anchovies, tamarind, natural flavor), Soy Sauce (wheat, soybeans, salt), Corn Oil, Sesame/Soybean Oil, Seasoning (yeast extract, safflower oil, natural flavor), Garlic Powder, Spice, and Spice Extract.  Rice:  Precooked Rice.

Contains: Milk, Anchovy, Wheat

Turkey Tetrazzini:

Cooked Turkey, Asparagus, Enriched Spaghetti (durum semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Modified Corn Starch, Nonfat Dry Milk, Pimientos, Mushrooms, Corn Oil, Salt, Chicken Base (chicken including natural chicken juices, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed corn gluten, dried whey, onion powder and spice extractives, autolyzed yeast extract), Sugar, Chicken Fat, Dehydrated Onion, Flavorings (yeast extract, safflower oil, and natural flavor), Hydrolyzed Corn Soy Wheat Gluten Protein, Spices, Sherry Wine (sulfite), Garlic Powder, Citric Acid, Turmeric (for color), Soybean Oil and Spice Extract.

Contains: Wheat, Milk, Soy.

Vegetable Lasagna:

Tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato juice, salt, citric acid, and calcium chloride), Zucchini, Tomato Paste, Enriched Macaroni Product (durum semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid), Carrots, Spinach, Modified Corn Starch, Dehydrated Onions, Sugar, Salt, Spices, and Garlic Powder.  Cheese Blend:  Mozzarella Cheese Flavoring (mozzarella cheese [cultured milk, salt, enzymes], calcium caseinate, corn oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, sodium caseinate, salt, glucono-delta-lactone, maltodextrin, sodium aluminum phosphate, butter [cream], natural and artificial flavors), and Dehydrated Parmesan and Romano (made from cow’s milk) Cheeses (part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes).

Contains: Wheat, Milk, Soy

Pasta Primavera:

Zucchini, Enriched Macaroni Product (durum semolina, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Cream, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Red Peppers, Nonfat Dry Milk, Yellow Peppers, Modified Corn Starch, Green Peas, Seasonings (hydrolyzed soy and corn protein, dextrose, torula yeast, soybean oil), Parmesan Cheese (part-skim milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), Onion Powder, Butter (cream), Maltodextrin, Salt, Culture Whey Powder, Autolyzed yeast extract, Spices, Natural Flavors, Granulated Garlic, Turmeric and Safflower Oil.

Contains: Wheat, Milk, Soy

Oriental Spicy Style Chicken with Vegetable:

Green Beans, Cooked Chicken, Precooked White Rice, Mushrooms, Waterchestnuts, Red Bell Peppers, Teriyaki Flavor (soy sauce [soybeans, wheat, salt], maltodextrin, yeast extract, salt, and spices), and Contains 2% or Less Modified Cornstarch, Brown Sugar, Flavoring (autolyzed yeast extract, dried torula yeast, safflower oil, natural flavor), Garlic Powder, Sesame/Soybean Oil, Spices, Salt.

Contains: Soy, Wheat, and Peanuts on pouches manufactured prior to year 2005

Seafood Chowder:

Cooked Clams and Clam Juice, Potatoes, Cream, Onions, Nonfat Dry Milk, Pacific Shrimp, Celery, and Contains 2% Or Less Of The Following:  Modified Corn Starch, Butter (cream), Salt, Yeast Extract, Maltodextrin, Worcestershire Sauce (distilled vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, caramel color, sugar, anchovies, tamarind), Cultured Whey, Spices, Corn Oil, Onion Powder, Sodium Tripolyphosphate, Potato Starch, Safflower Oil, Natural Flavors, Calcium Disodium EDTA.

Contains: Clams, Milk, Shrimp, Anchovy.

Mexican Style Rice & Chicken:

Kidney Beans, Tomato Puree, Cooked Chicken, Instant Brown Rice, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Seasoning (spices, hydrolyzed soy protein & safflower oil, dextrose, onion powder, maltodextrin, beef fat flavor, nonfat dry milk, caramel color, spice extractive, turmeric extractive), Red Peppers, Modified Cornstarch, Dried Chicken Broth, Onions, Chili Powder (chili pepper, spices, garlic powder), Salt, Jalapeno Pepper Powder, and Red Pepper Powder.

Contains: Soy, Milk

Jamaican Style Chicken & Rice:

Instant Rice, Cooked Chicken, Onions, Dehydrated Red Beans, Green Peppers, Mushrooms, Corn, Red Peppers, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Molasses, Soy Sauce, (soybeans wheat, salt, molasses), Vinegar, Raspberry Juice Concentrate, Xanthan Gum, Citric Acid, Habanero Peppers (Scotch Bonnet), Natural Flavors, Spices, Sugar, Dehydrated Onions, Soybean Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Lime Juice Concentrate, and Salt.

CONTAINS: Soy, Wheat.

Macaroni & Cheese:

Enriched Macaroni (durum semolina, niacin, iron [ferrous sulfate], thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Dehydrated Cheddar Cheese Blend (cheddar cheese [milk, milk cuture, cheese culture, salt, enzymes, annatto], cream, salt, sodium phosphate, lactic acid, yellow no. 5 and yellow no. 6), Nonfat Dry Milk, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Oil, Salt, and Spice.

Contains: Wheat, Milk

Potatoes ‘N Cheese:

Potato Flakes, *Cheese Blend (cheddar, granular, and blue cheeses [milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], buttermilk solids, butter, sodium phosphate, lactose, lactic acid, yellow no. 5 and yellow no. 6), *Nonfat Dry Milk, Maltodextrin, Whey and Whey Protein Concentrate, Salt, Milk Protein, *Broccoli, * Onions, and Contains 1% or less of Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, *Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese cultures, enzymes, calcium chloride, disodium phoshate), Modified Corn Starch, Mono & Diclycerides, Sodium Acid Pyrophoshate, Guar Gum, Butter Flavor, Cream, Buttermilk Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate, Flavor, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Annatto, Turmeric. *Dried.

Contains: Milk, Soy

Potatoes ‘N Beef:

Potatoes, Cooked Beef, Nonfat Dry Milk, Modified Cornstarch, Dehydrated Onions, Beef Base (roasted beef and concentrated beef stock, hydrolyzed corn gluten, soy wheat corn protein, dried whey, yeast extract), Salt, Sugar, Corn Oil, Flavoring, Spices, Caramel Color, and Garlic Powder.

Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat.

Vegetable Stew w/Beef:

Potatoes, Peas, Cooked Beef (Beef, Salt), Carrots, Corn, Corn Oil, Modified Cornstarch, Hydrolyzed Corn Torula and Brewers Yeast Wheat Gluten Soy Protein, Dehydrated Onions, Salt, Sugar, Spices, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, and Garlic Powder and spice extract.

Contains: Wheat, Soy

Grilled Chicken w/Mashed Potatoes:

MASHED POTATOES WITH HERBS & CHIVES:  Potato Flakes* (potatoes, mono and diglycerides preserved with sodium acid pyrophosphate and citric acid) and Herb & Chive Seasonings* (nonfat milk, butter [cream, salt], chicken, modified food starch, salt, natural flavor, parmesan cheese [pasteurized milk, salt, cheese culture, enzymes], whey, maltodextrin, hydrolyzed wheat and corn gluten, onion, chives, yeast extract, spices, chicken fat, chicken broth, garlic, citric acid, annatto, and turmeric [added for color]).
GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS* Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets with Rib Meat, Seasoning (modified food starch, salt, corn syrup solids, dried chicken broth, soy protein concentrate, maltodextrin, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oil, chicken fat, soy lecithin, grill flavor, natural flavor), Sodium Phosphates, and Caramel Color. *Dried

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Soy

Flame Broiled Beef Patties w/Mashed Potatoes:

MASHED POTATOES WITH CHEESE & BROCCOLI*: Potato Flakes, Cheese Blend* (cheddar, granular, and blue cheeses [milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes], buttermilk solids, butter, sodium phosphate, lactose, lactic acid, yellow no. 5, yellow no. 6), *Nonfat Dry Milk, Matltodextrin, Whey and Whey Protein Concentrate, Salt, Milk Protein, *Broccoli, *Onions, and contains 1% or less of the Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, *Enzyme Modified Cheddar Cheese (milk, cheese clultures, enzymes, calcium chloride, disodium phosphate), Modified Corn Starch, Mono & Diclycerides, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Guar Gum, Butter Flavor, Cream, Buttermilk Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate, Flavor, Corn Syrup Solids, Sodium Caseinate, Annatto, Tumeric.

FLAME – BROILED BEEF PATTIES*: Beef, Seasoning (corn syrup solids, canola oil), Salt, and Spice. *Dried

CONTAINS: Milk, Soy

Breakfast

Precooked Scrambled Eggs:

Whole Eggs, Nonfat Dry Milk, Modified Food Starch, Corn Oil, Salt, Yeast Extract, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavor, and Safflower Oil.

Contains: Egg, Milk

Precooked Scrambled Eggs w/Bacon:

Freeze Dried Precooked Scrambled Eggs:  (whole eggs, egg yolks, nonfat dry milk, modified corn starch, corn oil, salt, yeast extact, sunflower oil and smoke flavor, xanthan gum). BACON: Bacon (cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite), and Smoke Flavor

Contains: Eggs, Milk

Granola w/Blueberries & Milk:

Granola (rolled oats, brown sugar, unsweetened coconut, soy oil, sesame seed, wheat germ, natural vanilla flavoring), Nonfat Dry Milk, Freeze Dried Blueberries, Dry Cream (sweet cream, lecithin, and tocopherols), and Natural & Artificial Vanilla Flavor.

Contains: Soy, Milk and Wheat.

Precooked Eggs w/Ham & Peppers:

Precooked Scrambled Eggs (whole eggs, egg yolks, nonfat dry milk, modified corn starch, corn oil, salt, yeast extract, sunflower oil and smoke flavor, xanthan gum), Ham (ham, salt, dextrose, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium erythorbate, smoke flavor, sodium nitrite), and Red and Green Peppers.

Contains: Egg, Milk

Raw Egg Mix – Butter Flavored:

Whole Eggs, Nonfat Dry Milk, Salt, Propylene Glycol, and Flavor — Requires Cooking

Contains: Egg, Milk

Desserts & Snacks

Neapolitan Ice Cream:

Milkfat and Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Cocoa (processed with alkali), Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum and Carrageenan, Artificial Flavor, Red #40, and Annatto Color.

Contains: Milk

Ice Cream Sandwich:

ICE CREAM: Milkfat, Sugar, Nonfat Milk, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Cellulose Gum, Carrageenan, Artificial Flavor, and Annatto Color.
CHOCOLATE WAFERS: Bleached Wheat Flour, Sugar, Carmel Color, Dextrose, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Corn Flour, and Contains 2% or Less of Cocoa, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch, Baking Soda, Salt, Mono and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin.

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Soy

Raspberry Crumble:

RASPBERRY SAUCE MIX:  Sugar, Freeze Dried Raspberries, Modified Corn Starch, Nonfat Dry Milk, and Corn Oil.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE CRUMBS:

Sugar, Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Cornstarch, Baking Soda, Salt, Soy Lecithin, Vanillin (an artificial flavor), Chocolate, and Whey.

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Soy

BlueBerry Cheesecake:

CHEESECAKE MIX:  Cheesecake Powder (sugar, dried baker’s cheese [skim milk, lactic acid, culture], dried buttermilk, partially hydrogenated palm kernel oil, modified food starch, dextrose, whey, corn syrup solids, sodium phosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, sodium caseinate, lactic acid, salt, sour cream powder, calcium lactate, artificial flavor, glycerol monostearate, maltodextrin, lemon juice solids, yellow no. 5, yellow no. 6, natural flavor, BHA [preservative]), Vanilla Pudding, (sugar, food starch modified, dextrose, disodium phoshate and tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and contains 2% or less salt, nonfat dry milk, partially hydrogenated soybean oil with BHA [preservative], mono and diglycerides with propyl gallate and citric acid [preservatives], titanium dioxide [for color], natural and atrificial flavors, yellow no. 5, yellow no 6) Whole Milk Powder, and Lecithin.

BLUEBERRY TOPPING MIX:

Sugar, Freeze Dried Blueberries, Blueberry Powder, Modified Food Starch, Citric Acid, and Corn Oil.

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS:

Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, roboflavin, folic acid), Graham Flour, Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Molasses Preserved With Sulfur Dioxide, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Leavening (baking soda, calcium phosphate), and Salt.

Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat

Chocolate Strawberry Crunch

CHOCOLATE PUDDING (dextrose, modified food starch, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, corn syrup solids, Dutch processed cocoa, sodium phosphates, salt, xanthan gum, potassium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, calcium sulfate, sodium steroyl lactylate, carrageenan, caramel color, titanium dioxide, *aspartame, artificial flavor, mono and diglycerides)

TOFFEE (sugar, palm oil, dairy butter, almonds, salt, artificial flavor, soy lecithin)

FREEZE DRY STRAWBERRIES

*Contains Aspartame: Phenylketourics:
Contains Phenylalanine

Contains: Soy, Milk

Strawberry Fruit Snacks:

Freeze Dried Organic Strawberries.

Mango Fruit Snacks:

Freeze Dried Organic Mangos

Apple Fruit Snacks:

Freeze Dried Organic Apples.

Banana Fruit Snacks:

Freeze Dried Organic Bananas.

Meats, Veggies & Misc Items

Instant Long Grain Rice:

Precooked Long Grain Rice

Cooked Diced Beef:

Beef and Salt.

Diced Pork:

Pork and Salt.

Pork Chops Uncooked:

Pork

Ground Beef:

Beef, Flavoring, and Salt.

Cooked Diced Chicken:

Chicken Meat, and Salt.

Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn:

Whole Kernel Corn.

Garden Green Peas:

Peas and Salt.

Garden Green Beans:

Green Beans.

Pilot Bread Crackers:

Enriched Flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Leavening (sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate), Salt

Contains: Wheat, Milk

Cottage Cheese:

Cultured Skim Milk, Cream, Milk, Salt, Whey, Guar Gum, Citric Acid, Carrageenan, and Locust Bean Gum.

Contains: Milk

Nitro-pak’s owner, Harry R. Weyandt has written an interesting article on how to prepare for a depression or severe recession.

It goes beyond just food preparedness but survival food is a key element.

I have looked at a lot of preparedness & survival websites recently on this subject. I have read many articles on preparing for a depression and this article has very good advice, covers a lot, but is a quick read.

Here is a link;

How Do I Prepare for a Severe Recession/Depression?

Thanks Harry.

KT

There is a need and great value of having a food reserve for tough economic times. The chances of a depression have increased greatly since I wrote about it on September 15th, and many will experience hardships for sure.

Some are stating that if there is a depression it will not be as severe as the “Great depression” that occurred last century. Of course the same people were saying just a few weeks ago the worst of the bank troubles were behind us.

So is there need for a food reserve? What type of food reserve is the best value?

First, the need for a food reserve is greater now than in the past. At the worst part of the great depression unemployment reached a high of 25%. Anyone who read John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” will have a feel for what it was like for people in rural areas trying to survive.

However there is a big difference between now and then.  Then much of the population was rural and able to revert to a sustenance economy to get food to just barely survive the crisis. Now most of our population is urban. Most people will be totally dependent on food supplied in markets. Adding to this is the fact many foods are imported. Further, even non-perishable food is managed with tightly controlled “just in time” inventory to maximize profits. In a global crisis food imports are likely to dwindle as nations focus on self preservation. Food stock-outs will be more common. There may difficulty in getting food and prices will rise.

What food reserve is the best value?

For the same reasons that I strongly recommend freeze dried food for disasters, it is also the best value for hard economic times. It is easy to store, only needs water, no preparation or cooking required, and has long storage of up to 25 years. It can provide food insurance protection for a long time.

It is also better from a community perspective because when you buy freeze dried food you are actually increasing the future food supply for all by utilizing food available now before there is a shortage.

By having a food reserve to draw from in hard times with food shortages,  you will be able to leave food on the store shelf for those who do not have a food reserve.

A lesson from “The Grapes of Wrath” is that we all do better as a community helping each other.

Having a food reserve will enable you to make a contribution when the time comes, either by leaving food for others at the supermarket and also by sharing the reserves you have with those most in need.

An important final note is that freeze dried food while readily available now, has earlier this year experienced long lead times of 6-8 weeks, during heightened concern about high oil prices and related food price increases.