Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Does anyone know if there is any problem purchasing freeze dried fruits and veggies in bulk that are not packaged for long term storage, then packaging them yourself with oxygen absorbers? I'm just not sure if they have to be packaged properly immeaditly after being freeze dried in order to have a the same gaurnteed shelf life. (I'm thinking the bulk ones might have already absorbed a little moisture). The reason i'm asking is I found a place that sells freeze dried veggies and some of them are way cheaper then i've seen anywhere if you buy bulk quantities. They have 40 pound boxes of FD onion for $230. That comes out to about five dollars a pound, compared to Provident Pantry in the #10 can at about $12 a pound. Thats less then half the price. Seems like a heck of a bargain. I think I might get them and pack them with oxygen absorbers. Do you think they will still store for 20+ years?

Oh here is the website:
http://www.aaoobfoods.com/freezedried.htm#top

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

First the stuff they are selling is from Just Tomatoes, I can tell by the names they use. I have a wholesale account with them and the web site you've posted is up charging almost double for what you can get from Just tomatoes.

To answer your original question, you will be fine packaging on your own. Just do it quickly because freeze dried stuff absorbs moisture pretty quick.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Gee are the provident pantry veggies a rip off or something? I didn't know you could get FD food for so cheap. Looks like i've been paying out the wazoo for nothing.

goddess, how do you get a wholesale account with Just Tomatoes? I didn't see anything on their website. Thanks.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Just give them a call, they are really easy to work with and get you set up right away and you can order at the same time. :D

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Consider vacuum sealing vs absorbers too. That cost spread over lots of food gets very affordable.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Sounds easy enough.

AMforPM, I have a foodsaver but am not sure if I will try to use it because I think it will crush them to bits. I haven't really decided how to package them yet. I thought about filling #10 cans then just vaccum sealing the whole can minus the lid, probably with an oxygen absorber. Either that or buy some mylar bags.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Would you choose a third-rate life insurance company? No? Then choose only professionally-packaged, nitrogen-packed foods.

As for using a FoodSaver for short-term (i.e., less than 2 years) storage, they have vacuum jars you can buy to avoid damaging fragile items.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

Yep if you vacuum seal in the bags it crushes them. Voice of experience. DO you know any one thats LDS(Mormon) You can ask them to borrow a #10 canner for you and they will be all sealed up and ready to go.

Re: Bulk Freeze dried foods (not packaged for long term storage)
 

If you don't have access to a #10 canner, Foodsaver has a vacuum sealer lid for wide mouth jars...you take a wide mouth jar, fill it up with freeze dried food, drop in an oxygen absorber, put the lid on the jar, attach foodsaver gadget, vacuum, and then put the treaded ring on the jar and you are as good as a canner.

http://www.jardenstore.com/products.aspx?bid=18&cid=193