Best quality freeze dried food company?

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HTXPhoenix@reddit

Mountain House. Meals taste very goo and They are always running good sales too. 30 Year shelf life. The #10 cans are the best value.

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I buy the #10 cans of MH meals and re-package them with a vacuum sealer into individual portions. Sometimes these come out to less than half the price of buying the individual meals directly. Just wait for sales, buy a few, repackage and label. I haven't had any problems with them spoiling, and I just tried one of the breakfast scramble packets that I repackaged 10 years ago.

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big_galoot_39@reddit

Sorry just found this thread. When you re-package them, does that bring down the shelf life?

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PaulBunyanisfromMI@reddit

Ive done the math on the #10 cans and have not come to that conclusion. But maybe im missing something.

Right now i see the spaghetti and meatsauce is $8.69 for 4.2 oz retort pouch. Or $37.49 for 14.8 oz in the #10. So the #10 is more expensive per oz.

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SchaeferJazze@reddit

Spaghetti with beef marinara? I’m seeing $10.99 and $30.74

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PaulBunyanisfromMI@reddit

Ok I was only looking at amazon. It looks like you were looking at the MH website. So it looks like the best deals are either the #10 direct from MH, or the pouch from amazon.

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IDoWhatIWill@reddit

Year 31 hits and yer fucked.

/s

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redheadedfruitcake@reddit

I like the augason farms brand off Amazon.

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skywalkr274@reddit

and costco if you have it (but only the buckets)

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SnooLobsters1308@reddit

Also search the forums, several discussions on freeze dried in the last 4 weeks. Mt house for meals.

u/TheSensiblePrepper linked you the freeze dried wholesalers, they have great quality in general, and some of the best meats. I'll second and third the LDS store for staples. https://mredepot.com/collections/yoders has yoders canned meats (expensive) and often has military surplus #10 cans, can get some higher end expensive stuff there too. If you're eating nothing but mushy plant based freeze dried stuff cause you wanted cheap calories from some of the other places, a #10 can of sirloin or shrimp can be a nice change up. :)

Which products should I buy? Do you cook? Make bread from scratch? Make cakes and soups and etc. ? Then the cheapest will be stuff you know, get the ingredients to make bread then. The boring "goto" starter recommendation is usually beans and rice, because they can give you cheap calories and complete protein. Wheat / flour is cheap and stores well but, if you don't know how to make stuff from scratch rice is easier to make than to bake bread. :)

Here is a SAMPLE list from BYU, I'd have more meats but ymmv. Its at least a list that shows what else you might need besides JUST beans and rice. :)

https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/61/56/2e85ce114c6bbd70f72bf2dac90b/anapproachtolongertermfoodstoragesept2015.pdf

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TheSensiblePrepper@reddit

The best is going to be Freeze Dry Wholesalers. They have just about anything you could want. It is literally like shopping at a grocery store.

Regardless of how you feel about Canadian Prepper, you can use the discount code canadianprepper for 15% off everything at the website above. Since you're paying for shipping, that really helps. A discount is a discount.

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Tesfer54re@reddit

6 oz of scrambled egg in $30 there, and at EmergencyEssentials you can buy an almost 3 lb can of mix for under $30

so hardly 'the best'.

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SnooLobsters1308@reddit

EE meat is terrible, and I've tried it. The meat at freeze dried wholesale is a few levels quality better than EE.

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TheSensiblePrepper@reddit

I said the best. Not the cheapest.

I have tried almost every brand of those products out there. Trust me, you don't want to be eating those Emergency Essentials Eggs for very long.

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Tesfer54re@reddit

You have not tried these then.

Go away.

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HeinousEncephalon@reddit

I like Mountain House for meals and Auguson does fine with one item freeze dried

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MackeyJack3@reddit

My experience as well.

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RankledCat@reddit

A few of my favorites:

https://store.churchofjesuschrist.org/new-category/food-storage/5637160355.c

https://nutristorefoods.com/collections/meats

https://www.beprepared.com/collections/0_-10-can-food-kits

We stock everything. Meats, veggies, fruits, dry goods, baking staples, cheeses, etc.

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mellamenpapi@reddit

My mom has purchased a bunch of food storage from the church but I honestly don’t know if she really knows what to do with 8 cases of wheat

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RankledCat@reddit

That’s awesome! 🤣

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8Deer-JaguarClaw@reddit

For #10 cans, Mountain House is king, but I also like Auguson Farms. I really wish Backpacker's Pantry would start selling the larger cans instead of just the pouches. They have some great stuff.

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kevin6513@reddit

Did they stop? I have a few cans of backpackers pantry. They are 17 servings versus 10. I bought them 5+ years ago.

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8Deer-JaguarClaw@reddit

They don't currently have any on their website. I had no idea they used to sell them. Good to know! Thanks

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kevin6513@reddit

When I read your comment I had to go double check. Jamaican jerk chicken with rice! Have a few cans.

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8Deer-JaguarClaw@reddit

I did a quick search and I see a few cans for sale but nothing that appears to be recent production. Would love to find some if you have a source.

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kkinnison@reddit

augason farms brand

Keep an eye out for 50% off sales. Usually buy a couple 10# cans when ever there is one.

Try to spread out your purchases between protien, carbs, and fruit/veggies. Think of what your normal meals are and get freeze dried replacements.

also recommend hoosier hill farm Big Daddy Max mix. I actually use that in my normal meals now instead of those Mac and Cheese packs you see at the store for a dollar. Get some flour, learn to make your own pasta, add some veggies and meat, and you got an amazing comfort food meal to raise everyones spirits up and feel like they are eating like kings 15 years after society collapse

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HeinousEncephalon@reddit

When where is the 50% off sales?

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kkinnison@reddit

had one last year around october. Probably trying to rotate out older stock. I guess join a mailing list and keep checking

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TruePrepper@reddit

Can't give specifics, but Prime Day is coming up July 16-17. Check then.

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HeinousEncephalon@reddit

Ahh, smart

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DwarvenRedshirt@reddit

They happen when they happen. Keep an eye out on the site and/or on r/preppersales

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HeinousEncephalon@reddit

I have been for a few years. I've never seen any for more than 30 to 40 something percent off. I thought maybe you had another source.

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DwarvenRedshirt@reddit

I recently saw a post on a buy one get one free sale on Auguson Farms Eggs that was pretty much immediately sold out (post was showing sold out in the screenshot). I don't see that post now, so it might have been deleted.

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Oldenlame@reddit

r/preppersales

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mrtoren@reddit

LDS food store is the best bang for the buck. They stock no-frills basics like dried beans, whole grains, vegetable and potato flakes, and dried fruits -- which will need some creative cooking and seasoning. However, their low prices make them accessible to virtually everyone.

A healthy, balanced diet is diverse. Beans are often high in fiber which satiate and keep you feeling full longer. Fruits and vegetables are packed with energy boosting starches and nutrients. Rice and grains are highly beneficial for your body and cheap to stock, making them affordable ways to bulk up your meals.

That said, I would practice cooking with these ingredients. Eight cans of red hard wheat are worthless if you don't have the first idea how to cook it or incorporate it into palatable recipes.

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FancyFlamingo208@reddit

Try before you stockpile a bunch.

Yes, I know the little pouches aren't cheap. But if no one in your house eats them, the expensive case just became useless.

I've gone and gotten small pouches of Mountain House in years past. Bust open like 6 of them, all different flavors, for dinner one night, and everybody takes a little bit of each one.
By far and away, the MH winner was Beef Stroganoff. The primavera was a second. I think Alfredo was deemed good. The others, were okay, but not enthusiastic yesses. (I started FD'ing my own, so no complaints about my fajitas or potato soup so much.)

In the last few years MH has kinda lost its former stronghold on the market, I see a ton of different companies now. Just have to taste away.

Also, some things are fine dehydrated, where others are better freeze dried.

That said.
For #10 cans of ingredients?
Augason Farms is great. Can find on Amazon or at Walmart. I always keep dehydrated onions, carrots, celery on hand for random chicken stock making (people always think of me when they have a random/spare carcass). The freeze dried spinach and broccoli and peas and corn go well in soups/liquidy casseroles. Butter and buttermilk I've only used to bake with. Dried peppers, I use in crockpot meals for flavor, because the consistency will be nothing like fresh or plain frozen peppers. Tomato powder is nice to have on hand to thicken a sauce quickly. Need to repackage quickly, or you end up with a tomato brick. 🙄🤦‍♀️ Can't remember if I tried their freeze dried plain meats, just FD my own anymore anyway.

I've heard OvaEasy is the best eggs, according to little old LDS ladies. And that the LDS milk is one of the best out there (their dried carrots and onions are fine as well). On to the LDS cannery, getting sugar in the cans is nice, don't have to repackage into mouse-proof things as much, but you do pay extra for that convenience. Can also get bean (black for sure) in #10 cans from the cannery usually. They have other things, but not the assortment they did 20+ years ago.

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Fast_Special9891@reddit

Best bang for the buck for #10 cans is by far the LDS store (https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/food-storage). If you aren’t near a store you need to buy cases of 6 cans but their cases are the same price as 2 cans for some other companies. They only have basics. For me, they make up most of my long term food storage.

I mostly store single ingredients. For fruit & vegetables, I look for sales of auguson (on Amazon or in some stores), emergency essentials (be prepared.com). Both have been of fine quality. I don’t store meat or dairy long term. The small amt of meals I store is mountain house. I’m not sure of any other backpacking meals company that claims a long term shelflife.

Freeze Dry Wholesalers are very good quality, are expensive, and I’m not sure how long the shelf life is. The packets have clear windows on one side. They do have interesting options.

I haven’t yet bought anything from rainydays.com, but they have a wide selection and some good sales.

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StrangeKatt@reddit

Listen here OP, Great choices by almost everyone. But you're looking for best bang for your buck in #10 cans.

Readyhour, augason farm, emergency essentials will have the best bang for your buck in individual ingredients. "eggs, milk, veggies, butter" augason farms, and ready hour also offer emergency buckets of pre-made meals you need to cook, not just boil water and bam food. Acutally cook. It's an option, Highly recommend getting a 72hr augason farms kit to try the food before buying bulk, same thing goes with readyhour.

Augason farms also sells Pouches of individual items, like they do in their #10 cans. Pantry pouches, Of the butter, eggs, some fruits and mixed veggies. A great item to buy to TRY before you invest in #10 cans. Because powder butter is NOT the same as regular butter lol.

MEALS, Mountain house, Augason farms. PEAK dosent do #10 cans and never listen to people who say REMOVE the food from an existing mylar packaging or can and vacuum pack down. You'll lose that 30+ year shelf life and cut it down to 5-10 years.

There is other companies out there for long term shelf life, Like readywise, patriot, and other brands I didn't mention but it's honest to god shit, Bottom of the barral wouldn't feed to a starving animal shit.

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Rockyrambo@reddit (OP)

Great response. Thank you!

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StrangeKatt@reddit

Welcome :)

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DeafHeretic@reddit

There is best quality and there is best value. They are not the same thing.

Mountain House is best quality. The best value is when MH is on sale.

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TruePrepper@reddit

Augason for cans/buckets, Mountain House for backpacking pouches, Nutrient Survival if you're rich.

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Bloody-Boogers@reddit

The best best?? Health ranger store. Quality labs tested and organic freeze dried stuff

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plshelpmeh284@reddit

What products to buy? Animal Proteins. Berries. Fruits. What brand? Any that had a good price, without any added crap. Look whats inside so its not ultraprocessed like some instant ramen noodles.

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DwarvenRedshirt@reddit

For the most part, Mountain House is the tastier one with #10 cans. A lot of the more boutique brands like Peak Refuel don't have #10 cans (you only have pouches), so your selection is going to be limited. Also, some of the #10 cans aren't actually freeze dried food, they're dehydrated.

In terms of specific ingredients, it really depends on what you cook with regularly. I don't recommend getting some of those if you never cook with them now (because you probably won't be starting after SHTF).

Also, unless you need a lot immediately, wait for sales. The standard price on those #10 cans is really high.

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larevolutionaire@reddit

What can you easily grow and get yourself. That you don’t need . It can be milk , or eggs , or minced meat . I like mountain house and Aguston farms . I have some small mountain house meals in the car, but that’s get home food . I would look for single items can mainly . But also look at making your own ghee , way cheaper then powder butter and better tasting

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Full_Disk_1463@reddit

Harvest Right. Buy a freeze drier and make your own, and you can freeze dry candy that turns magical

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stephenph@reddit

I used to have good luck with audessen farms (the one that Walmart sells, but have seen them elsewhere I believe). I would repackage in mylar in meal portions/mixtures.

I have a Freeze dryer now so do my own, maybe not as economical, but I can do custom food packs to my taste.

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redheadedfruitcake@reddit

I like the augason farms brand off Amazon.

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pete200215@reddit

Peak Refuel https://peakrefuel.com I have enjoyed their meals. You can get them on Amazon also.

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Tesfer54re@reddit

Google '10 can scrambled egg mix' one site has it on sale right now for $29 when it is regularly over $50. They also have 10 cans of freeze dried blueberries for $19, the cheapest prices I have seen in 3 years.

'One site' is not going to be the cheapest way to buy this stuff. Look at them all for the individual items you want to buy. Most sites have free shipping if you spend enough.

I

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