Portuguese Prepper
Mountain House vs. Augason Farms: Which food storage is best?
When building a long-term food supply, freeze-dried food is the gold standard because it lasts 25 to 30 years.
However, the two biggest brands serve completely different purposes.
Mountain House specializes in fully cooked meals (like lasagna or beef stew) that require zero preparation, while Augason Farms specializes in bulk ingredients (like powdered eggs, milk, and flour) for cooking from scratch.
For most preppers, the correct strategy is not to choose one, but to use Mountain House for your “72-hour kit” and Augason Farms for your “deep storage.”
Both brands offer a 25+ year shelf life in unopened cans.
Mountain House is “Just Add Water” (no cooking).
Augason Farms is cheaper per calorie but requires cooking.
Mountain House: The “Zero Friction” Option
Mountain House meals are famous for their taste and convenience. You literally pour boiling water into the pouch (or #10 can), wait 10 minutes, and eat.
There are no dishes to wash and no recipes to follow.
The downside is cost. Mountain House is significantly more expensive per calorie. It is the best choice for short-term emergencies, bug-out bags, or situations where you won’t have the fuel or mental energy to cook a meal from scratch.
Augason Farms: The “Calorie King”
Augason Farms sells individual ingredients in large #10 cans. Their bestsellers are powdered eggs, powdered milk, freeze-dried fruits, and vegetable stews.
This is the most cost-effective way to stockpile 3 to 12 months of food. However, you cannot just “add water and eat.” You need a stove, fuel, spices, and the ability to cook. If you are preparing for a long-term grid-down scenario where you will be baking bread or making scrambled eggs, this is the brand to buy.
Which brand belongs in your pantry?
A Note on “#10 Cans”
Both brands sell their products in #10 cans (large coffee-sized metal tins). These are superior to pouches for home storage because they are rodent-proof and stack easily. Once opened, you generally have 6 to 12 months to consume the contents before moisture spoils them.
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