Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Did you know that food storage is not only good for emergency situations? It is also a good way for you to save on your monthly grocery bills.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of container is the food packaged in?

We pack our food in #10 American-made double enameled cans. A #10 can is a one gallon container and holds slightly less than a gallon of food. We use high quality cans which are of the heaviest base weight metal available in the canning industry with an extra heavy electrolytic coating of tin plate or protection of the steel. To prevent rust and corrosion due to atmospheric conditions, food grade enamel is deposited on the tin plate. The cans are then packaged in what we refer to as a "case" a case is a cardboard box which contains six of the #10 cans.


Do foods react with the metal in the can?

No. Foods do not come in contact with the metal because they are separated from it by the can's food-grade enamel lining. The low moisture and oil content of the foods limits degradation of the can lining.


Where Should I Store the Food?

Dehydrated foods should be stored in a cool, dry area. Do not place the cases directly on a concrete floor or against a concrete wall, as concrete will sweat and the moisture may cause the cans to rust. If you put them on boards or some type of rack, the air will circulate around the food.


When is the Food Packaged?

The food is packaged fresh when you order it. The longevity, quality, and freshness is maximized by not allowing to product to sit on the shelf before the order is placed.


What is the Shelf Life of Your Products?

Most properly packaged food, like the products we sell, have a shelf life of up to 30 years, with the exception of dairy products which have a shelf life of 5-7 years.


How Long Will The Food Stay Fresh After I Open the Can?

As long as the food is stored in a relatively cool place, the oxygen absorber is kept with the food, and the cans are resealed with the plastic lid provided, they will last from 9 months to 3 years. If you are using small portions of food, it is better not to pour the food out, rather to dip it out. The reason is because it lessens the oxygen absorption loss and less air and moisture gets into the food.


How do your products stay fresh for so long?

The longevity is due to the packaging process. After the can is filled with the product, we place a packet of Oxygen Absorber on top of the food then seal the can. The cans are of the heaviest base weight metal available in the canning industry with an extra heavy electrolytic coating of tin plate or protection of the steel. To prevent rust and corrosion due to atmospheric conditions, food grade enamel is deposited on the tin plate.


What in the world is TVP?

It is actually made from soybeans. It keeps its nutritional value for a long time and provides a lot of protein and fiber. It is very high in potassium, is a good source of the essential amino acids, and also contributes calcium and magnesium to your diet. Also, because it is dry, it has a very low bacterial count.Another plus is that if you happen to be a vegetarian, TVP is a great protein supplement because it contains no meat or meat bi-products. Also known as textured soy protein, TVP is not tofu. It is, however, made from soy. TVP comes from defatted soy flour, which is a by-product of soybean oil, so it is plentiful in supply. It’s also quick to cook and a great source of vegetable protein without all the fat.TVP comes in small dry chunks resembling, well, dried vegetables more than anything, or in a finely-ground form. It’s flavorless, but when you rehydrate it and add your own flavors, it makes a great protein-filled addition to many dishes calling for ground meat. Because of its varying texture, it’s versatile, and can take on the texture of many meats. For instance, it’s excellent in chili, tacos, veggie burgers and soups. A 43-gram serving of TVP contains 120 calories and 21 grams of protein and hardly any fat.When it’s used to replace meat in stews and soups, your family will hardly be able to tell the difference and since you can marinate it in many of the same sauces as meat, it can take on many of meat’s flavors.



Why Not Just Buy Canned Food at the Grocery Store?

Not only are our dehydrated foods high-quality, they retain their nutritional value and cost less than canned foods at the grocery store. This is because you are getting the product only, not the pits, peelings, and water that a lot of foods are packaged with. Most of the canned foods available at the grocery store have been boiled which causes a lot of the nutritional value to be lost.



How Do I Prepare The Food?

All you have to do is add water. These foods are highly concentrated and will reconstitute themselves by soaking in water for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Then cook according to the provided instruction and serve. By doing so, the food will return to its original color and shape and will have the same great flavor it had before the dehydration process.



Where Does the Food Come From?

The fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested in clean well maintained environments. There are North American crops and South American crops depending on the season, however both crops are grown by the same leading corporation and the high quality standards are the same regardless of where the crop is located. Improperly harvested imported foods are often raised with illegal fertilizers, insecticides and even "black water" in some third world countries, but our products have never, and will never be subject to those conditions.


How Long Will it Take Until My Food Arrives?

Orders are typically received about 3 weeks after the order is placed.