The Benefits of Freeze Dried Food for Emergency Preparedness
Why freeze-dried food over any other? First off, practically all emergency food kits go with freeze-dried items. When it comes to transporting, storage, and preparation, such foods are optimal. No matter if kept in a can or pouch, these foods are lightweight, allowing multiple servings to be stored in a small space or taken without much effort. In times of disaster, a bucket or several cans can easily be grabbed during an evacuation.
Freeze-dried meals require little to no cooking. In fact, just water needs to be added to a serving. Within roughly 10 minutes, freeze-dried food rehydrates and is ready for a meal. Some brands, on the other hand, understand you may want an ordinary cooking experience. In these cases, multiple servings of vegetables, carbohydrates, and proteins can be rehydrated and then cooked together as a meal.
Additionally, practically any item can be freeze-dried and packaged in an airtight container for storage. If you look at food kits of all types of Mountain House, Lindon Farms, Wise Food Storage, and other brands, all have a combination of vegetables, fruits, proteins, dairy, and grains, as well as fully-prepared meals, in this state. As a result, each type of kit offers meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that just need water.
Aside from its lightweight composition, easy preparation, and variety, freeze-dried items have a long shelf life, assuming the storage area has ideal conditions. Airtight, nitrogen-sealed packages can last from five to more than 30 years unopened. After opening, however, the contents must be consumed over the next year.
Poor storage conditions decrease the quality of the food. In order for kits of freeze dried food to last as long as possible, make sure the storage space is cool, dark, and dry and free of chemicals.