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Frequently Asked Questions Ready Reserve Foods
Long Shelf-Life Food Systems
Q: How
long is the shelf-life of the food system products?
A: These products are packaged in #10 and #2-1/2 double
enameled, nitrogen-flushed cans.
Ready Reserve Foods products have been real time tested
for up to 30 years. Under ideal conditions the shelf
life of our products is 15-20+ years. Some companies
claim to get 25-30 years of shelf life, frankly, that’s
not possible. Unless in otherwise perfect conditions
the natural breakdown of vitamins and nutrients can’t
be stopped no matter what process the food goes through.
Adding major chemicals and large amounts of preservatives
can push the food to the 25+ year mark, but where does
that leave us? Food that tastes terrible and is just
as damaging as it is “filling.” Since Ready Reserve
Foods uses the highest quality food on the market and
tries to stay away from preservatives and added chemicals,
we get highly nutritious food that still comes with
an extended shelf life. Here are some tips to getting
the longest shelf life for your food.
- Keep your food in a cooler environment. The colder
the better. Less than 70 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.
Any warmer than 80 degrees starts to work against
the food and break down the nutritional structure.
Try keeping your food storage out of the garage
unless it is climate controlled. Garages tend to
hold in heat because they are not as well insulated
as the rest of the house. Basements or supply closets
in the middle of the house are ideal. They are the
most insulated and tend to stay the coolest. The
closer to the ground the better. Since heat rises,
storing your food under the bed or at the base of
a closet works well also.
- Keep the food dry. Moisture works against dehydrated
food, breaking it down faster and creating stress
on the can. Moisture can also damage the labels
on the outside which may cause some confusion in
the future.
- Keep away from direct sunlight. Think of the sun
beating against the car in the summer. Because of
the “oven” effect, you’re basically cooking whatever
is inside. The same goes for the can. Since it is
a sealed steel can, direct sunlight can damage the
food and drastically decrease shelf life.
- If storing on concrete, raise the food. concrete
tends to hold in moisture, so putting a few wood
slats on the ground or shelving will keep the air
circulating around the cans and away from direct
contact with moisture.
- Treat your food storage like you do your fresh
food in the pantry. Every food group has a different
shelf life. Dairy products go first, then fruits
and vegetables, then proteins and grains. The same
goes for your food storage. Consider rotating out
these items in a logical order. Not only does this
keep your food storage fresh, but also helps you
and your family get used to the products. (and the
kids get to see that it’s not “cardboard”) Use the
items in your everyday cooking, learning as you
go and substituting these items with grocery items,
saving money in the long run. We here at Ready Reserve
Foods are never caught without 4 things in our pantry
on a regular basis:
- Dehydrated Onions
- Potato Slices
- Apple Slices/Banana Slices/Cinnamon Apple
Slices
- Butter Powder
- Always store some extra items from the grocery
store with your food storage in glass containers.
We recommend keeping cooking oil, vanilla extract,
and peanut oil in glass containers only with your
food. This way, you’re never without the basics
and you’ll always have what you need. Try to stay
away from plastic containers from the grocery store
if it’s an item that will be kept with your food
storage. Bugs and bacteria can easily get through
plastic and destroy what’s inside. Plus, some products
can eat right through plastic and then next thing
you know…. there’s a mess spilling all over your
food storage. Glass solves this problem. Metal store
bought cans work well, but only for a short time.
Since the cans are not enameled, the natural breakdown
of the food also breaks down the cans and can leak
through.
Q: How much room
do I need to store food?
A: These are low-moisture foods that require approximately
80% less space than conventional foods.
Q: Do low-moisture
foods taste good?
A: Unlike canned foods, these are not processed. Only
the moisture (water) has been removed, not the taste!
When rehydrated these not only taste as fresh as they
did originally, but look just as good, with the same
nutritional value.
Q: What is the
calory per day of the food systems?
A: The Ready Reserve Food systems have been designed
to provide 1400+ calories per day per adult person.
If you have small children, your portions will increase.
Ex. A Family
Unit could feed 2 adults and 3 small children with
food left over.
Q: Is there enough
variety to please my family?
A: Just survey our selection and you'll find Ready Reserve
Foods include: fruits,
vegetables,
proteins
(eggs,
nuts, etc), adjuncts
(baking
soda, gelatins,
sugar),
dairy,
drinks,
seasonings,
soup
bases, and cereals.
Over 75 different foods in all.
Q: Are the boxes
in the food systems marked so you can tell what is inside
each box?
A: Yes.
Q: How long are
the Ready Reserve seeds good for?
A: Like the food systems, the seeds should be kept relatively
cool and dry. If so maintained, they should have at
least a 90% sprout rate after 8 to 10 years, dropping
to about a 50% sprout rate after 15 years.
What is the difference between
dehydrated and freeze dried foods?
Dehydrating food is simply having the water content
removed through low heat, modern air drying methods.
During dehydration, the product will shrink making
it up to 80% less bulky than “wet pack” foods, and
10-15 times lighter in weight. Freeze drying involves
removing moisture through a space age freeze blasting
method, then “super heating” it to cause all the water
to vaporize into steam. This product does not shrink
in size and keeps the original volume, thus requiring
more storage space. (Back to
top)
What
are some advantages of dehydrated foods?
The decrease in weight and volume during dehydration
makes this an easy, space saving product to store.
A one year reserve for two adults takes up about as
much space as a refrigerator. (Back
to top)
How
is the food packaged?
Ready Reserve Foods’ are vacuum sealed in heavy duty,
corrosion resistant steel cans with a double enamel
coating. This special enamel helps prevent rust on
the outside of the can, and the metal from being in
contact with the food on the inside. The process of
nitrogen packing creates an “inert” atmosphere by
displacing the oxygen in the can with nitrogen. Oxygen
enables any living organism to survive, be it bacteria,
mold spores, or insects, and without it, none of these
things can sustain life. Since oxygen is the #1 factor
in the natural breakdown of food, it works against
us. By packing our product in a nitrogenous atmosphere
rather than an oxygenated one, we are eliminating
both key factors that hinder long term food storage.
(Back to top)
Does
the nutritional value decrease during dehydration
or packaging?
No. The only component removed from the food during
dehydration is the moisture. Since oxygen is replaced
with nitrogen inside the can during packaging, the
natural breakdown of the food and its nutrients is
reduced, which helps give our product the extended
shelf life that we pride our company on. (Back
to top)
Why
should I store food?
To be personally independent of the need to be sustained
by outside resources beyond your control. Having a
food reserve eliminates the worry of an uncertain
future. It is “Peace of Mind”. There are many factors
that can cause food shortages here in the United States
and around the world. Major concerns over the global
economic situation and terrorism (biological or even
small nuclear weapons could be set off on our soil).
Extreme weather conditions: droughts, flooding, tornadoes,
hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.. Gas & oil shortages
push transportation costs up, up, up! Grocery stores
completely restock their shelves every 2-3 days. Think
what would happen if the distribution sources were
disrupted. In the event that something does happen,
you’ll be prepared to weather the storm. (Back
to top)
Do
you have samples?
Yes, we do. We have a “Sample Case” which comes with
a selection of all food groups packaged in cans. This
way you can see how easy and simple the products are
to use. Check out details for the “Sample Case” here
. (Back to top)
How
long will the food last after opening a can?
If kept sealed with the plastic lids, it will stay
good for up to one year in your pantry. Milk and eggs
are the exception, with a shelf life of 8-10 months
after opening. (Back to top)
How
should I store my food supply?
Always store it in a cool dry place away from direct
sunlight. The base of a closet, under a bed, or in
a basement are ideal locations. Garages, attics, or
metal sheds tend to get too warm during summer months
and should be avoided when considering possible storage
areas. (Back to top)
If
I have had my supply for many years, how do I know
if the food is still good or not?
Since there is no oxygen in the can for bacteria or
mold to thrive, and the natural breakdown of the food
is disrupted, the only way to check it is a harmless
taste test. If the food has lost flavor or tastes
bitter, then it’s time to consider replenishing your
supply. (Back to top)
What
is the cost comparison to store bought groceries?
For an average family of four, the cost of a one year
supply of Ready Reserve Food is approximately 80%
less than what would be spent at a supermarket throughout
the year. (Back to top)
What
are the rehydration guidelines?
Reconstitution of Ready Reserve Foods will vary with
each product. For your convenience, each can is labeled
with a recommended reconstitution ratio. Most foods
can be rehydrated using cool water, however others
may require hot water and some cook time, as would
store bought noodles. Many of our products are edible
“as is” right out of the can, such as; fruits, TVP,
and assorted vegetables. Once rehydrated, the foods
may be used for meal preparation as normal. (Back
to top)
What
is the size difference of the cans?
Our product is packed in two different sized cans.
The #10 can is about the size of a large store bought
coffee container, and the #2½ can compares to a can
of soup. If you filled them up with water the #10
would hold close to a gallon and the #2½ about a quart.
(Back to top)
How
much water should I store with my food?
The amount of water needed will vary depending on
whether individual cans, or a pre-built unit was purchased.
The units have a recommended amount that should be
stored for reconstitution of your Ready Reserve Food
supply. However this is based strictly on the amount
needed for reconstitution only – it does not account
for water that will be used for drinking and personal
hygiene. We recommend storing a minimum of 1 gallon
of water, per person, per day for these separate uses.
(Back to top)
Does
it take up much space?
Surprisingly little. A food reserve, for two adults,
for one year takes up about as much as a refrigerator.
This small volume is obtained by thoroughly drying
the food. The equivalent of canned foods would take
up about one-half of a normal size basement! You can
easily store your food in a corner of your basement,
in a closet, or under a bed. (Back
to top)
What
is T.V.P.?
T.V.P. is Textured Vegetable Protein. It is a soy
based product used as a protein substitution, offering
a vegetarian alternative to meat. T.V.P. proteins
are certified Kosher. (Back
to top)
Why
are my cans bulging?
The cans are packed and sealed in a nitrogen atmosphere
at an altitude of 1049 feet. During shipping to the
products final location, altitude changes can affect
the cans internal pressure. This does not damage or
effect the food in any way. The only thing that is
happening is the pressure is expanding and contracting,
there is no effect to the product, and it is not the
product that is causing the cans expansion. As a test,
Ready Reserve Foods took two different products up
Big Bear Mountain (6000 feet). An empty can which
was sealed and nitrogen packed, and a can of whole
egg solids that was also sealed and nitrogen packed.
The empty can popped at around 1500 feet and the eggs
popped at around 2500. At 6,000 feet the empty can
was bulging considerably and the eggs weren’t
too far behind. Why did we test an empty can? To prove
that it was not the product but the pressure differential
caused by the altitude that lead to the expansion.
As we descended the mountain, both cans equalized
and returned to their normal shape. If you’ve
received your product and some of the cans are bulging,
it is not due to botulism, but simply an elevation
change. (Back to top)
How
long does it take to receive my order?
We here at Ready Reserve Foods, Inc. pride ourselves
on our quick turnaround time. We keep a small floor
inventory to immediately fill current orders, however,
we only keep a small amount to ensure the products
freshness. You can be assured that the product you
receive from Ready Reserve Foods is as fresh as can
be. DCS continuously cans to keep our floor stock
fresh and rotated. The lead time for orders placed
is typically between 1-5 business days depending on
the size of the order. If there is a backorder on
a product, we will contact the customer to ask if
they would prefer receiving the order in full, or
sending what is ready and shipping the backordered
item when available. Depending on where the order
is being shipped, the shipping time (once it leaves
our facility) can range from 1-6 business days in
the contiguous U.S. to 7-20 days for Hawaii and Alaska.
Canadian orders vary due to customs requirements and
usually take between 5-14 days. Most DCS customers
receive their order complete within 1 week. (Back
to top)
Are
DCS products freeze-dried or low-heat dehydrated?
DCS only uses low-heat dehydrated products. Nutritionally
they are equal. The reason DCS sticks to low-heat
dehydrated products is because of the size difference.
When a product is dehydrated it loses 75%-80% of its
size, shape, and weight. When a product is freeze-dried,
it loses the weight only but maintains the original
bulk size and shape. For emergency food storage, volume
size is an issue and low-heat dehydrated products
are a great space saver while keeping a high nutritional
value. (Back to top)
Does
DCS do substitutions on the pre-built Units?
Unfortunately we do not. We can substitute Butter
for Margarine and vice versa. Substituting butter
for margarine will add about $30 to the cost of the
Unit. Other than the one substitution, DCS does not
remove or add any other items. If this is a concern,
please use the pre-built unit as a template and create
your own by ordering a la carte. (Back
to top)
Are
DCS products Organic or contain preservatives?
Unfortunately, no. Due to restrictive requirements,
we presently cannot claim to carry organic products.
DCS gets as close to organic as possible, but because
we are working with dehydrated goods, most of the
fruits and vegetables do contain sulfites to prevent
browning. The additive is applied before the drying
process which leaves very little in the food. Most
people who have sensitivities to sulfites are not
affected if it is added before the processing. (Back
to top)
Do
you have to buy by the case?
No. All of our items are sold individually leaving
you with the option to build your own unit as you
see fit. This means you can buy 1 can or 300 cans,
it’s up to you! This also allows you to add
to your food storage as you can without being forced
to spend too much. (Back to
top)
Do
DCS’s premixed items, such as pancake mix and
bread and roll mix, already contain the leavening
ingredient?
No. In all of our years of testing and storing products,
one thing is clear. A mixture cannot be stored with
the leavening ingredient included. This causes the
cans to bulge due to chemical reactions with the product
and expanding pressure inside. All premixed products
are specifically made with that in mind. Each products
label notes which leavening ingredient must be added.
We do carry leavening ingredients such as yeast and
baking soda which do not cause a problem when canned
alone. (Back to top)
How
did DCS determine what items to include in any particular
pre-built unit?
All of Ready Reserve Foods prebuilt units were designed
by a certified nutritionist to be a complete and balanced
diet for the allotted time and people. (Back
to top)
What
does “pre-built” unit mean?
Units are built to order. We never build and store
units before orders are placed. All orders are first
come, first serve and are built accordingly. You can
be assured that the freshest product on the floor
is what your order will contain. “Pre-built”
actually means pre-designed selection with nutrition
in mind. (Back to top)
Do
you do demonstrations?
Yes, we do. We do demonstrations locally in our area.
If there is a larger demonstration for a group out
of our area, we would be happy to work that out with
you. Please contact us at 1-800-453-2202. (Back
to top)
Is
DCS the manufacturer or a dealer?
DCS is the manufacturer! Not a dealer! Buy factory
direct at factory direct prices. We control the quality
from start to finish! (Back
to top)
Does
the price include shipping?
No, it does not. We do not include the shipping on
any of the products. For this reason, you get the
best possible price on the food and Preparedness items
without being overcharged. Each order gets a custom
direct shipping quote to ensure that you are only
paying as much as you need to and not more! We work
directly with trucking companies and small package
companies (UPS and FedEx) to get the best possible
shipping prices to businesses and residential addresses.
DCS can ship all of the products to residential addresses.
The shipping total does include the following unless
otherwise noted:
Small packages 0-300 lbs (UPS
and FedEx):
- Residential delivery
- Adult signature required
Larger Pallet size order 200-1500+
lbs (trucking company):
- Residential delivery
- Liftgate Service (no dock
or forklift at destination)
- Appointment/Scheduled Delivery
(Trucking company will call to schedule a delivery
appointment with you to ensure someone is at the
location to sign and inspect the pallet) (Back
to top)
What
should I look out for when my pallet is delivered?
- It is very important to take
a moment before signing the driver’s paperwork
to inspect your delivery.
- The total case count of the
shipment is noted on the bill of lading; please
check to verify that all of these cases are present
on the pallet before signing any of the driver’s
paperwork. We take extra measures to ensure the
integrity and accuracy of your shipment.
- The integrity of the “Do
Not Stack” cone on top of the pallet (white
and red) which is strapped to the pallet with a
heavy duty plastic strapping device
- All 4 Corner Protectors on
each side of the pallet (white) are present and
in good condition.
- Stretch wrapped in green
plastic to ensure the privacy of your order. This
also helps to indicate whether or not the pallet
has been re-wrapped. Trucking companies only use
clear stretch wrap. If you notice that the wrapping
is clear, notify us immediately.
- 4 – 5 colored Name
& Address signs, one on each visible side of
the pallet.
If any of these precautions
are missing or have been compromised, PLEASE make
note of this on the bill of lading and have the driver
verify it as well. This will help us reserve our rights
for a freight claim, if there are damaged or missing
products. Please notify us within 5 business days
of delivery with any damages and/or missing products.
Also if there are any concerns please notify us as
soon as possible. (Back to
top)
What
is DCS’s return policy?
Damaged or defective items returned within 30-days
of the original ship date will be fully refunded or
replaced absolutely free of charge. All damages must
be reported to DCS within 5 business days of delivery.
For returns or refusals within
30-days of the original ship date for any other reason
than damaged or defective items, the customer is responsible
for shipping the items to Ready Reserve Foods and
the customer will be refunded the full order amount
less a 15% restocking fee to cover applicable shipping
costs to the original destination address.
Returns or refusals of items
after 30 days from the original ship date will be
issued in-store credit less a 15% restocking fee to
cover applicable shipping costs to the original destination
address and the customer is responsible for shipping
the items back to Ready Reserve Foods if returned
for any other reason than damaged or defective items.
(Back to top)
What
is DCS privacy policy?
We DO NOT Share or Disclose Personally Identifiable
Information with Third Parties. (Back
to top)
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