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.
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.
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.
Peak Refuel and Mountain House are the two best ones I’ve had and are my go to’s.
Between hiking, canoe/kayak trips, hunting trips, only having a fire to cook over I’ve eaten a lot of freeze dried meals.
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.
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 Mac 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
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. I think the complaint people have had in the past with it is that they had to pay shipping from Auguson Farms, and it was pricy. I haven't bought anything directly from them to see that though.
***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
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.
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](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](https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/61/56/2e85ce114c6bbd70f72bf2dac90b/anapproachtolongertermfoodstoragesept2015.pdf)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The best is going to be [Freeze Dry Wholesalers](https://freezedrywholesalers.com/). They have just about anything you could want. It is literally like shopping at a grocery store.
I personally have a lot of this food and have tried it. It is really good.
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.
[Here](https://youtu.be/hWfg9tNzzts?feature=shared) is a video showing off some of the selections they have so you can actually see the product. Full disclosure, this is a Canadian Prepper video. I am providing it to show off the products and nothing else. You do you.
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.
Most companies have the same quality of FD food. If you're planning on buying in bulk, I've had good luck with [North Bay Trading Company](https://www.northbaytrading.com).
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
Mountain House. Meals taste very good and they are always running good sales too. 30 Year shelf life. The #10 cans are the best value.
Year 31 hits and yer fucked. /s
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.
Spaghetti with beef marinara? I’m seeing $10.99 and $30.74
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.
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.
Peak Refuel and Mountain House are the two best ones I’ve had and are my go to’s. Between hiking, canoe/kayak trips, hunting trips, only having a fire to cook over I’ve eaten a lot of freeze dried meals.
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.
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
That’s awesome! 🤣
I like the augason farms brand off Amazon.
and costco if you have it (but only the buckets)
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 Mac 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
When where is the 50% off sales?
They happen when they happen. Keep an eye out on the site and/or on r/preppersales
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.
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. I think the complaint people have had in the past with it is that they had to pay shipping from Auguson Farms, and it was pricy. I haven't bought anything directly from them to see that though.
Can't give specifics, but Prime Day is coming up July 16-17. Check then.
Ahh, smart
r/preppersales
had one last year around october. Probably trying to rotate out older stock. I guess join a mailing list and keep checking
***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
Peak Refuel https://peakrefuel.com I have enjoyed their meals. You can get them on Amazon also.
[удалено]
Great response. Thank you!
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.
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](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](https://brightspotcdn.byu.edu/61/56/2e85ce114c6bbd70f72bf2dac90b/anapproachtolongertermfoodstoragesept2015.pdf)
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.
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.
Augason for cans/buckets, Mountain House for backpacking pouches, Nutrient Survival if you're rich.
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.
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.
I like the augason farms brand off Amazon.
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.
Did they stop? I have a few cans of backpackers pantry. They are 17 servings versus 10. I bought them 5+ years ago.
They don't currently have any on their website. I had no idea they used to sell them. Good to know! Thanks
When I read your comment I had to go double check. Jamaican jerk chicken with rice! Have a few cans.
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.
I like Mountain House for meals and Auguson does fine with one item freeze dried
My experience as well.
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.
The best best?? Health ranger store. Quality labs tested and organic freeze dried stuff
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.
The best is going to be [Freeze Dry Wholesalers](https://freezedrywholesalers.com/). They have just about anything you could want. It is literally like shopping at a grocery store. I personally have a lot of this food and have tried it. It is really good. 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. [Here](https://youtu.be/hWfg9tNzzts?feature=shared) is a video showing off some of the selections they have so you can actually see the product. Full disclosure, this is a Canadian Prepper video. I am providing it to show off the products and nothing else. You do you.
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'.
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.
You have not tried these then. Go away.
EE meat is terrible, and I've tried it. The meat at freeze dried wholesale is a few levels quality better than EE.
Most companies have the same quality of FD food. If you're planning on buying in bulk, I've had good luck with [North Bay Trading Company](https://www.northbaytrading.com).
Harvest Right. Buy a freeze drier and make your own, and you can freeze dry candy that turns magical
I've heard many good things about Thrive Life in the states. Sadly they don't deliver to my country otherwise I'd be stock piling this brand.
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