Tips for Storing and Sending Freeze-Dried Food

hands holding a bowl of zucchini and yellow squash

Freeze-dried food is much lighter than normal food. It generally retains its original shape, but because all the moisture is removed, it’s practically weightless, which makes it easy to transport in an emergency and also simple to mail for dirt cheap.

Freeze-dried food is also resistant to spoiling, but it can still go bad if it isn’t packaged and stored properly. So, when packaging freeze-dried food, make sure the container you use blocks out light and is air free. You can help get rid of excess air by using an oxygen absorber in your storage preference of choice (glass jars, #10 cans and Mylar bags are the most popular options).

zucchini in a bowl, a mylar bag being labeled, an oxygen absorber being put into a mylar bag

A full size mylar bag that is cut into quarters makes the perfect snack bag. And a small USPS Flat Rate Box makes the best care package for anyone. This box can be purchased and shipped for just under $7 on average! One small flat rate box can easily hold 5-7 mylar snack bags.

mylar bags being put into a box

Keep in mind a few simple things if you decide to ship your freeze dried food to a loved one. Make sure sure to label the package so they know what they’re getting. Include simple re-hydrating instructions, if necessary, including tips on how to heat up various foods. Keep in mind that hot or boiling water is the best way to bring many foods like veggies, soups/stews or casseroles back to life.

Whether you’re packing your own lunch, brightening someone overseas day or helping your child in college get through finals week, uses for your home freeze dryer are endless. Share your craft with others and they’ll quickly understand why you’re so obsessed with your Harvest Right freeze dryer.

Have you ever sent freeze-dried food across state or country lines? What was your biggest challenge? What foods would you want to send in a care package? Check us out on Facebook and let us know!

Comments

Has anyone sent food to family overseas?

I’ve been thinking it would be a good treat for my aging father-in-law to get some of his daughter’s home cooking. He is in China and customs used to be lenient, but that was 8 years ago. Current information would be appreciated.

You will need to contact a sales rep (1-800-700-5508) for information on international shipping possibilities. Thank you!

I sent mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce home to my kids along with some other foods at Christmas time. They loved it!!

Any way to get #10 cans and a can sealer? I can find can sealers on ebay and used to be able to borrow them from the mormon cannery but they don’t have them anymore. Sourcing #10 or smaller cans has been a problem. Anyone have ideas about where to source #10 cans? Thanks!

I live in upstate NY and I have been able to locate a manufacturer to buy the cans from, but i have to buy them by the pallet, most people don’t have a place to store that many cans, the seamers are the most expansive parts, shipping a few cans is just so expensive because of the cubic feet they take up.

Consider getting tall #3’s (juice cans) and a sealer. I got mine from House of Cans near Chicago or Houseof Cans.com.

i used to do the can thing too. the only advantage to them is they are rodent proof. what i like to do is use mylar bags with oxygen absorbers, and a variety of sizes of sealable plastic buckets. if you have a rodent problem, go get a steel 55 gallon barrel with a lid, they are available everywhere for anywhere from 10 to 30 bucks on craigslist. just make sure you get one that had food in it or juice or something, not chemicals, or you might wind up turning green and growing six ears or something.

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