1. Freeze dried vs. dehydrated foods – Is there a significant difference in nutritional value of one over the other?
Over the years, I have come to prefer free dried, although I own and use both. The freeze drying process leaves 90% or more of the original nutrients intact and the food is the same size and shape as when it was fresh. Dehydrated foods lose more nutrients, but are still a good option, and the food shrinks greatly in size because of the drying process.
2. Where do the foods, that Thrive supplies, come from? I have come across some kits that state that the foods are imported from Germany, Hungary, Mexico and even China!
All the food is processed in the U.S. but some could come from other countries, just as produce in the grocery store sometimes comes from Chile or wherever. Shelf Reliance only deals with suppliers whose facilities meet American standards, however. And, no food comes from China.
3. A year ago I canned baby foods, to save money, for my son and that is how I fed him his first foods. As far as long term storage, as we have another one on the way, how long can you store canned baby foods? Is there a company that makes them specifically for emergencies and long term storage?
I wouldn’t store baby food! Freeze dried and even dehyrated foods make excellent baby foods! They are free of chemicals, sugars, etc. All you have to do is add water to the consistency you would like and serve! Maybe as a back-up you could keep a couple dozen jars on hand, but with the freeze dried food, you don’t have to worry about spoilage, broken glass jars, or food going unused.
By the way, baby food and formula are the only foods that are required by law to have an expiration date.