Prepping with Survival Food Mountain House

When it comes to prepping, most will agree that having a supply of long-lasting, nutritious food is essential.

By stockpiling Mountain House freeze-dried meals designed specifically for emergencies, you can feel confident you'll be able to feed your family when SHTF.

In this post, we'll cover everything you need to know to integrate Mountain House into your prepping plans, including storage tips, balanced meal ideas, budgeting for your stockpile, and when to take advantage of sales.

Introduction to Prepping with Mountain House Survival Food

Overview of Mountain House

Mountain House is a well-known brand of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods designed for emergency preparedness and outdoor activities. Founded in Oregon in 1963, they have over 50 years of experience creating tasty, nutritious meals that store for years. Their freeze-drying process removes around 97% of the food's water content, allowing it to remain edible for decades in storage. This makes Mountain House products perfect for preppers building an emergency food supply.

Benefits of Mountain House Meals for Preppers

Compared to other survival food options, Mountain House offers some key advantages:

Exceptional taste - Many reviewers rate Mountain House as the best-tasting survival food. Their meals are similar to fresh home-cooked food.
Highly nutritious - Meals provide balanced nutrition with protein, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Great for short or long-term emergencies.
Incredible shelf life - With proper storage, Mountain House foods can last 30+ years. The taste and nutrition remain intact over decades.
Lightweight - Since almost all moisture is removed, meals are very portable and ideal for bug out bags.
Easy preparation - Just add hot water, stir, and let sit for 10 minutes. No cooking fuel needed.

Types of Mountain House Survival Foods

Mountain House makes a wide variety of freeze-dried meals, including:

Breakfast skillets, granolas, and scrambled eggs
Lunch and dinner entrees like spaghetti, chicken teriyaki, and beef stroganoff
Sides such as rice, mashed potatoes, and vegetables
Fruits, desserts, and drinks like apple slices, ice cream sandwiches, and fruit punch

They also offer food kits, buckets, and specialty diets to meet various emergency needs. Whether for natural disasters, power outages, or outdoor adventures, Mountain House has tasty, nutritious options purpose-built for survival.

What foods should I stockpile for survival?

When building your emergency food supply, focus on nutrient-dense, non-perishable foods that will sustain you in a crisis. Here are some of the best options to stockpile:

Canned and Dried Proteins

Canned varieties of meat, beans, fish, and dairy products are convenient and shelf-stable. Choose lower-sodium options when possible. Dried beans and legumes are an affordable protein source to stock up on as well. Some good choices include:

Canned chicken, tuna, salmon
Canned beans, chili, soups
Beef and turkey jerky
Nuts and nut butters
Powdered milk and eggs

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies provide essential vitamins and minerals. Go for canned, frozen, and dried varieties to avoid spoilage. Some handy options are:

Canned fruits in juice or water
Dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and apricots
Canned tomatoes, carrots, spinach, and other veggies
100% fruit and vegetable juices
Dehydrated vegetable chips

Grains, Cereals, and Starches

Rice, oats, pasta, flour, and other grains are carb sources that store well. Opt for whole grains when possible. Some alternatives include:

White and brown rice
Dried pasta, quinoa, barley
Oats and whole-grain cereals
Crackers and granola bars
Potatoes and sweet potatoes

When stockpiling survival foods, focus on nutrient density, shelf life, and dietary preferences. Store foods properly and rotate items to maximize freshness.

How long will Mountain House freeze-dried food last?

Mountain House freeze-dried foods have an exceptionally long shelf life compared to other survival food options. According to the Mountain House website, their survival food mountain house pouches and buckets have a guaranteed shelf life of 30 years from the date of manufacture when stored properly.

The key to preserving the quality and nutritional value of Mountain House meals over decades is storage out of sunlight in a cool, dry place. The ideal temperature range is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing your pouches and buckets of Mountain House food in a basement, root cellar, or climate-controlled room is best.

With proper storage, you can safely rely on Mountain House as your long-term survival food solution. Their freeze-drying process removes almost all moisture, inhibiting bacteria growth and nearly eliminating spoilage concerns. As long as the packaging remains intact, the meals inside will last for decades.

Mountain House also guarantees the taste of their products for 30 years. So not only is your freeze dried food safe to eat three decades later, but the flavor and texture also hold up well over that long time span.

Having a long shelf life gives you confidence that your emergency food supply will be intact exactly when you need it, even if that is 10, 20, or 30 years down the road. The exceptional longevity of Mountain House products makes them a wise choice for preppers focused on long-term preparedness.

What is the best survival food to buy?

When it comes to stocking up on survival food, products from Mountain House stand out as some of the best options to buy. Here's a look at why Mountain House meals are a smart choice for your emergency food supply.

Quality and Nutrition

Mountain House freeze dried foods are made with high-quality ingredients and undergo a careful production process to lock in nutrients. Their meals provide a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat to help sustain you in an emergency situation. The taste and texture also tends to be better than cheaper alternatives.

Long Shelf Life

Properly stored Mountain House pouches can last up to 30 years. The freeze drying process removes moisture that could otherwise cause spoilage. As long as you keep them in a cool, dry place, your food stash will stay intact for decades to come.

Lightweight and Portable

The pouches weigh very little compared to canned goods. They are also easy to pack, making them ideal for bug out bags and emergency kits. You can carry a substantial food supply without overloading your pack.

Easy Preparation

When you need to eat, just add hot water and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. No cooking equipment or effort required beyond having a heat source and a bowl on hand. It's about as simple as it gets to whip up a hot, tasty meal.

Cost Effective

While more expensive per ounce than bulk rice and beans, Mountain House lets you build a complete food stockpile without breaking the bank. Take advantage of sales to get high-quality survival meals for a reasonable price.

So if you want nutritious, long-lasting food that's portable and easy to fix, Mountain House is a reliable way to go. Stock up while prices are low so you're set for any emergency.

Who owns Mountain House food?

Oregon Freeze Dry, the company that owns the popular survival food brand Mountain House, was recently acquired by Arbor Investments, a private equity firm based in the United States.

Arbor Investments focuses on investing in and growing small-to-medium sized companies in the consumer products industry. By acquiring Oregon Freeze Dry, Arbor aims to help Mountain House continue expanding its market reach and product offerings in the preparedness and outdoor recreation markets.

Oregon Freeze Dry was founded in 1963 and is based in Albany, Oregon. The company pioneered the process of freeze drying foods to create lightweight, nutrient-rich adventure meals that have a shelf life of up to 30 years. Their flagship Mountain House brand is well-known amongst preppers, survivalists, and outdoor enthusiasts for making emergency food supplies that require only hot water for preparation.

Over the years, Oregon Freeze Dry has established itself as an industry leader and trusted household name in freeze dried meals. Their products are sold across major retailers like Costco and Walmart, in addition to being available on their website and Amazon.

While the Mountain House brand will remain the same under Arbor's ownership, customers can likely expect more innovative products that cater to changing consumer preferences. With Arbor's investment backing Oregon Freeze Dry, Mountain House is well-poised for the future as a go-to provider of delicious, nutritious, and convenient survival food.

Building Your Mountain House Food Supply

Recommended Mountain House Meals to Stockpile

When building your emergency food supply, Mountain House makes an excellent addition for long term storage and nutrition. Some of their top meals to consider stockpiling include:

Mountain House Beef Stroganoff: A tasty and filling option, with 640 calories per pouch. Makes a good base to add other ingredients to.
Mountain House Spaghetti with Meat Sauce: A classic comfort food with complex carbs from the pasta. Provides a morale boost in tough times.
Mountain House Chicken Teriyaki with Rice: Chicken offers lean protein, while rice provides high energy carbs. The teriyaki sauce adds welcome flavor.
Mountain House Granola with Blueberries and Milk: A hearty, energizing breakfast option with whole grains, fruit, and dairy. Sets you up for a productive day.
Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef: Warm and hearty, this meal offers a morale and energy boost from comfort food. The beef, pasta, beans, and spices make it nutritionally balanced.

When building your reserves, focus on variety, dietary needs, caloric density, and personal tastes. Mountain House makes it easy to store foods you'll actually enjoy eating.

How Much Mountain House Food Should You Store?

As a baseline, aim to have at least a 2 week supply of Mountain House meals in your prepper stockpile. From there, increase based on your household size and expected emergency duration. Their serving sizes average 2 cups, with 2 servings per pouch.

Here is a simple formula:

2 weeks of food = 14 days x 3 meals per day x number of people
1 month of food = Double the 2 week supply
3 months = Triple that amount

So for example, a family of 4 preparing for 2 weeks would need:

14 days x 3 meals x 4 people = 168 pouches

When buying in bulk, Mountain House has packages with buckets containing 60-120 pouches, making it easy to accumulate reserves. Take advantage of sales events and discounts to stock up over time.

Best Practices for Storing Mountain House Foods Long-Term

To maximize shelf life up to 25+ years for your Mountain House supply, follow these best practices:

Store pouches in a cool, dark, and dry location like a basement or interior closet. The ideal temperature range is 55-75°F.
Consider vacuum sealing pouches or buckets for added moisture and oxygen protection.
Label pouches with the purchase date and contents using a permanent marker. Use oldest stock first based on the First In, First Out (FIFO) method.
Inspect pouches every 6-12 months for signs of damage or spoilage. Immediately replace any compromised pouches.

By taking care to store your Mountain House properly, you can keep your emergency food reserves fresh and nutritious for decades to come.

Integrating Mountain House into Your Prepper Meal Planning

It's important to have a plan for nutritious, balanced meals in an emergency situation. Incorporating Mountain House freeze-dried foods into your meal preparation can provide convenience, but should be combined with other ingredients for a more complete meal.

Creating Balanced Meals with Mountain House

While convenient, Mountain House meals on their own can lack fresh components and variety for balanced nutrition. Here are some tips:

Pair Mountain House entrees with fruits, vegetables, grains, or legumes you have stored to round out the nutrients. Some good options are canned or dried beans, rice, quinoa, canned fruits in juice, and dehydrated produce.
Make simple recipes like adding canned chicken, tuna, or salmon to Mountain House rice or pasta sides. Sprinkle on dried herbs and spices for flavor.
Use Mountain House as a base for dishes like chili, soups, or casseroles and bulk it up with your own canned or dried ingredients.
For breakfast, mix Mountain House eggs or pancakes with dried fruit, maple syrup, peanut butter, or powdered milk you have on hand.

Stretching Your Mountain House Supply in an Emergency

If faced with extended emergencies, relying solely on Mountain House likely won't be sustainable. Here are tips to make it last longer if needed:

Reduce portion sizes when possible to extend your supply. Mountain House servings are quite large, so you can often use 2/3 of a package per person.
Combine and use Mountain House sparingly in dishes like rice bowls, tacos, pasta bakes. Bulk up with your own rice, beans, TVP chunks, or textured vegetable protein.
Save full Mountain House packages for days when quick, convenient meals are most needed. On other days, focus on your own bulk ingredients in recipes.

Special Diet Meal Planning Considerations

Those with dietary restrictions have unique meal planning considerations:

Choose Mountain House meals marked "gluten-free" if needed. Be aware even these can contain traces due to manufacturing processes.
For vegetarians or vegans, options like beans and rice or pasta primavera work well. Add your own dried vegetables or meat substitutes.
If you have food allergies, thoroughly check Mountain House ingredients for your triggers. Substitute based on your own emergency food storage as needed.
For low sodium diets, focus on dishes like eggs or fruits, which tend to be lower. Flavor using more herbs and spices instead of salt.

No matter your diet, combining Mountain House with your own bulk ingredients for balanced nutrition is key in an emergency.

Sourcing and Budgeting for Mountain House Survival Food

Finding Mountain House Meals at Costco and Walmart

Mountain House is one of the most popular brands for survival food, known for their tasty freeze-dried meals that have a shelf life of up to 30 years. Both Costco and Walmart carry a selection of Mountain House products at affordable prices.

At Costco, you can find Mountain House breakfast skillets, chicken fried rice, lasagna, and more in bulk pouch sizes. A big draw is their emergency food kits which contain a variety of entrees, sides, drinks, and snacks. Walmart offers individual pouches and multi-day kits with fan favorites like beef stroganoff and chicken teriyaki. They also sell Mountain House in #10 cans, which are great for long term storage.

When comparing prices, Costco usually has the best deals when buying in bulk. But Walmart runs frequent sales on Mountain House, so if you catch a good promotion the savings can be comparable. Joining the buyer's club at both retailers can also get you exclusive coupons.

No matter where you shop, be sure to calculate the cost per meal and pay attention to expiration dates. Buying in bulk saves money only if you will use the food before it expires.

Saving Money on Your Mountain House Stockpile

As a popular brand, Mountain House freeze dried meals often come at a premium price point. However, with the right strategies, you can save substantially on your stockpile:

Buy in bulk: Purchasing bulk pouches instead of individual servings cuts down the cost per meal. Shop sales and use coupons for additional savings.
Join buyer's clubs: Retailers like Costco and Walmart have buyer's clubs with special deals for members. The annual fee often pays for itself in exclusive discounts.
Look for sales: Mountain House often goes on sale ahead of holidays and natural disaster seasons. Stock up during these promotions.
Shop clearance sections: Check for discounted Mountain House pouches that are near expiration. These make great options for practice bug out bags.
Consider alternatives: While Mountain House is a top brand, comparable options from Wise Foods, Augason Farms, and Good To-Go can help stretch your budget.

No matter what survival food you choose, resist the urge to stock up all at once. Take advantage of sales but buy only what you’ll use before expiration. Develop a monthly prepping budget to slowly build your supplies over time.

Alternatives and Substitutions

With its reputation for great taste and quality, Mountain House occupies prime real estate in most emergency pantries. However, for preppers on a tight budget, comparable options exist at lower price points:

Wise Foods: Known for their affordable buckets and pouches of freeze-dried meals. Not as tasty as Mountain House but very budget friendly.
Augason Farms: Specializes in dehydrated and freeze-dried vegetables, fruits, meats and meal kits for longer term storage. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available.
Good To-Go: A leader in lightweight, gourmet meals for camping and hiking. Also work well for bug out bags at a lower cost than Mountain House.
Peak Refuel: Retort pouches that just require boiling water. Easy to pack, lower sodium, with budget friendly pricing.

While it’s hard to match Mountain House’s quality and 30 year shelf life, these alternatives help stretch your survival food budget. Mix and match different brands to meet your family’s unique preferences and needs.

Testing and Consuming Your Mountain House Meals

Best Practices for Testing Mountain House Foods

It's recommended to occasionally open and sample your stored Mountain House meals to test their quality over time. Here are some best practices:

Test one meal from each case or batch once a year. This will ensure you find any issues before your whole supply is affected.
Inspect the packaging carefully before opening. Look for any signs of puffiness, leaks, or other damage.
Check the taste, texture, and appearance after cooking according to package instructions. The food should rehydrate well and taste comparable to a fresh package.
If you notice any changes in quality like poor rehydration, off tastes, or spoilage, isolate and dispose of those meals. Contact Mountain House if a whole batch seems affected.
Keep detailed records of your testing including batch numbers, purchase dates, test dates, and any issues found. This will help identify patterns if problems arise.

Following these guidelines will help confirm your Mountain House supply remains tasty and nutritious when you need it most.

Everyday Uses for Mountain House Products

Rather than letting your emergency freeze dried meals expire after years of untouched storage, incorporate Mountain House into regular activities like:

Hiking and camping trips: Mountain House meals are lightweight, convenient, and tasty for the trail. Enjoy them during your outdoor recreation before breaking into your emergency reserves.
Home meal prepping: Prepare an extra serving or two of various Mountain House meals to keep in your fridge or freezer. They make quick and healthy lunches, dinners, or snacks during busy weeks.
Gifts: Share your passion for emergency preparedness and delicious food. Give Mountain House meal kits as gifts for birthdays, holidays, housewarmings, etc.

Rotating through products before expiration by regularly enjoying Mountain House ensures you know the quality and can replace aging inventory as needed.

Approaching Expiration or Quality Issues

If stored improperly or reaching best by dates after years of storage, Mountain House meals may start to decline in quality and palatability. Here is what to do if you encounter issues:

Check packaging integrity: Make sure containers or pouches remain well-sealed with no punctures, leaks, puffiness, or other damage. Discard anything compromised.
Inspect and smell contents: Dispose of meals with off odors, significant discoloration, sogginess, or spoilage. Slight fading over time is normal.
Taste test if uncertain: Cook a small portion of suspect meals. Discard anything with poor texture or rancid/sour flavors. - **Replace expired or low quality items:** Check Mountain House sale listings or sites like Costco to restock problematic products approaching best by dates.

Staying vigilant through testing and inspection means you can enjoy years of great-tasting survival food from Mountain House when you need it most.

Taking Advantage of Mountain House Meals Sales

Tracking Sales and Discounts

Staying informed about Mountain House sales and discounts can help you save money while stocking up on high-quality emergency food. Sign up for the Mountain House newsletter, follow them on social media, and keep an eye out for promotions from outdoor retailers like REI and Cabela's. Major holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day often bring good deals on survival food as well.

Use price tracking sites and browser extensions to monitor costs over time and receive alerts when Mountain House products go on sale. This allows you to purchase at the lowest possible price point.

Bulk Purchasing During Sales

Purchasing Mountain House meals in bulk quantities during a sale is wise for extending your food reserves. Focus on staple entrees like chicken fried rice, spaghetti, and sweet and sour pork rather than niche meal varieties.

Calculate your emergency food needs in terms of total calories required, and buy enough sale-priced pouches to meet that threshold. Having a diverse set of meals prevents taste fatigue. Consider pooling bulk orders with like-minded friends to split shipping costs.

Comparing Prices Between Sales

Not all Mountain House sales are equal in terms of discount percentage and overall value. Carefully compare discounted prices between different sales events, factoring in any applicable coupons, rewards programs, or stacked promotions.

Online price tracking tools can analyze historical best prices on Mountain House pouches to determine if a current promotion represents the optimal deal. Be patient and only purchase when you've confirmed the pricing aligns with your budget goals. Consider buying some inventory now while reserving funds to buy more later if an even better sale crops up.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Stockpiling Mountain House products can be a smart choice for preppers looking to build an emergency food supply. Here are some key takeaways:

Mountain House offers high-quality freeze dried foods with a long shelf life of up to 30 years. This makes them ideal for long term storage.
The meals are lightweight and portable as well, so they can be part of your go-bag or bug out bag. Just add hot water to prepare.
Stick to simple meal options like granola, eggs, chicken, rice, pasta. These tend to be more affordable and versatile for emergency situations.
Consider creating a meal planning calendar to rotate your stock and track expiration dates. This will help prevent waste.
Store your pouches in a cool, dark place like a basement or root cellar. Oxygen absorbers and mylar bags also help prolong shelf life.

The bottom line is that Mountain House delivers on both quality and practicality for preppers. Stock up during sales to get the best deals. Then integrate into your existing emergency preparations for greater peace of mind.