FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Where should I store my food?
This depends upon where you live. These products are made with both freeze-dried and dehydrated components and are affected by temperature, moisture, oxygen and light. Optimal storage conditions for our foods are in cool, dry places.
How much water will I need?
On average, each individual serving requires 1 cup of water.
Do I have to use boiling water?
Hot water speeds up the process of reconstitution. These foods will be ready to eat more quickly when hot water is used. However, many of the foods can be re-hydrated and ready to eat with any temperature of water.
How are your foods packaged?
100% of our foods are packaged in airtight Mylar pouches. These pouches are then arranged in durable polyethylene buckets for easy storage.
What allergens are contained in your products?
Milk, soy, and wheat (gluten) are the common allergens found in our products. For specific ingredients by product type please consult the nutritional labels.
Does your manufacturing facility produce other food products that contain allergens presently?
Our manufacturing facility does manufacture a limited line of products that contain tree nuts.
Are any of these allergens found in ingredients or raw materials sourced by your company?
We do source raw materials from suppliers that manufacture other products in a facility that could contain shellfish, fish, peanuts or tree nuts.
What steps are taken to ensure that these allergens do not end up in your products?
Our manufacturer has a very aggressive allergen control program. They require each of the raw materials suppliers to provide them with a Certificate of Analysis with accompanying test results verifying that the raw materials provided are free from any trace of shellfish, fish, peanuts and tree nuts. Additionally, through our own internal allergen identification, storage segregation, and sanitation practices, we are taking every effort to ensure our products are allergen free.
How long do the meals last in storage?
Studies have proven that freeze-dried and dehydrated foods will last up to 25 years or even longer. For optimal storage life it is suggested that food be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a basement, with room temperatures of 50 to 55 degrees.
Why use both freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients?
We use a combination of technologies to achieve the best taste and quality.
Certain ingredients set-up and taste better when freeze-dried (vegetables, fruits, meats) while others do better through dehydration. In these cases, dehydrated ingredients offer all the benefits and better value than foods that have been freeze-dried.
Freeze-Dried and Dehydration Advantages:
We take a unique and innovative approach to food production for long-term emergency preparedness. Our ready-made entrées, meats, vegetables and fruits may be freeze-dried or dehydrated.However, both processes promote an extremely long shelf life.
- Food maintains its original flavor, shape, color, and texture
- Food better retains its nutritional value
- Food is condensed, taking up less space
- With all of its water extracted, food is extremely lightweight
- When water is added, the food completely reconstitutes itself
Our customers enjoy greater peace of mind because of the food's long shelf life and great taste.
Why should I purchase from you?
We are dedicated to providing dependable, simple and affordable ready-made freeze dried and dehydrated foods. We have a long track record of customer satisfaction. We are confident that you will find our product to be of the highest quality, best priced and the most available. Most customers receive their product in 10-14 business days from the time it is ordered. In times of high demand, delivery times can range from 14-28 days.
Where can I find nutritional information on your entrée's and breakfasts?
For product nutritional information, please refer to each product page. There you will be able to see an image of each individual pouch along with its corresponding nutritional information.
What alternative uses are there for your product?
Our products are created to be easy to use whenever you need them. In addition to storing these products for an emergency situation a number of customers have found our product to be versatile enough to be consumed on a day-to-day basis. Entrees are also often used on camping, hunting and backpacking trips. Others pull them from the pantry at home or take them to work when they don t have time to prepare a meal or go out for lunch.
How are my products shipped?
All packages are shipped through UPS or LTL carriers.
Will I be notified about my product delivery?
Yes. You will receive an automated email regarding your order and delivery times.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes, we offer free shipping in the U.S. to the contiguous 48 states.
What is your return policy?
You may return any unopened, unused merchandise, no questions asked, within 30 days of purchase. To initiate the return process, please call us at 1-307-317-1190 Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM EST or email us at support@americanreserves.com. If 30 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a credit or refund. You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.
NOTE: There will be charged a $15 restocking fee deducted from the return amount for all products. For solar panel and generator product sales, there will be charged a restocking fee equal to the cost of return shipping of that product should a customer receive the generator and/or solar panel and then want to return it.
After a return is initiated with our return department:
1. Return the item to the address given to you by our return department.
2. Keep your shipping records for proof of shipment in the event of loss of returned merchandise.
Returns shipped via U.S. Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) or with a value of over $100.00 should be insured. We are not liable for return merchandise that does not reach our return department. We will notify you via phone, mail, or e-mail of your refund once we have received and processed the returned item. You can expect a refund in the same form of payment originally used for purchase within 20 business days of our receiving your return.