Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but we always recomend that our customers order directly from our retail partners. Please make sure to check if the product is being "shipped and sold" by our retail partner and not a third party.

Please reach out to the customer service departments at our retail partners for any questions/issues with an order. If you need help contacting a retail partner or continue to have issues please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly. If you placed an order through augasonfarms.com please call us at 800-878-0099 or e-mail us at support@augasonfarms.com.

Unfortunately, we do not offer samples at this time.

Due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak in the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm), Augason Farms products that contain eggs are unfortunately experiencing a temporary price increase. We are diligently working with our supply partners to lower these prices as soon as market conditions allow. Thank you for your continued loyalty and support during these uncertain times.

Any returns would follow the policy of the retail partner that you purchased from. All sales on augasonfarms.com are final and we do not accept returns.

Boxes that are damaged during shipping do not typically compromise the product inside. Upon receipt of a damaged box, please open the box right away to make sure the product(s) remain sealed and airtight. If they are sealed and airtight, the product is perfectly good. If the product is not airtight please reach out to the retail partner that you purchased from.

In some instances, slight damage to the product does not mean a return is necessary. Below are examples of damaged products that will not compromise the product’s quality and shelf life:

Collapsed Pails: Because of elevation changes during shipping, airtight pails occasionally arrive “collapsed”. This is unavoidable due to air pressure. If the pail remains collapsed, this is a good thing. A collapsed pail indicates that the pail remains airtight and perfectly sealed. If a collapsed pail slowly begins to expand, the seal may be compromised. NOTE: Foods packaged in individually sealed pouches within a pail are not compromised.

Dented Cans: If a can is dented, the food quality is not compromised unless a dent is along the top or bottom seals of the can or a dent has exposed the product to air. If this type of damage occurs, do not consume the product. Otherwise, dents and scratches will not compromise the product. If you are concerned, please contact us and we will conduct a visual inspection and let you know if the dent is cosmetic or needs to be replaced.

We do not. Because we source raw ingredients from numerous suppliers throughout the United States and occasionally from international locations, we are unable to certify that our products are consistently non-GMO.

Yes. Select gluten-free products are blended and packaged in Augason Farms’ manufacturing facilities approved and certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a quality assurance program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) of North America.

When we obtain GFCO certification, we are licensed to print the registered mark or symbol on applicable gluten-free product labels. In addition, we have USDA inspectors on site, working independently to ensure that our products meet government standards and label claims.

Our products are manufactured in a facility that processes foods containing dairy, soy, egg, wheat, and tree nut allergens. After we manufacture a product that has an allergen, we thoroughly clean the processing equipment, walls, and floors and remove any product residue visible to the naked eye.

Before using the production line to manufacture another product, the room and equipment must be inspected for cleanliness and pass rigorous verification testing to detect contamination not visible to the naked eye. The testing involves two swab tests:

1. 1. ATP swabs are used to test for the general cleanliness of surfaces and detect any possible biological residue.
2. 2. Protein chemical swabs are used to detect specific proteins. The presence of protein will cause a chemical reaction that produces a color change. Because allergens are proteins, the absence of color indicates no allergens present.

Additionally, as part of our gluten-free certification process, we use gluten-free swabs to detect the presence of gluten.

Our manufacturing facility strictly adheres to established allergen control testing protocols. We are registered with and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. We also maintain Global Food Safety Initiative certification through the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program.

First, what is Bioengineered Food? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines bioengineered food as “Food that contains genetic material that has been modified through certain laboratory techniques and for which the modification could not be obtained through conventional breeding or found in nature.” *

Why is this statement appearing on labels? Congress recently passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS) requiring food manufactures to disclose foods that include certain types of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Some companies use the terms “Genetically Modified Organism,” “GMO” and “Genetic Engineering” on their labels, however they must use “bioengineered food” or “Contains a bioengineered food ingredient(s)” to comply with NBFDS. *

What is Augason Farms doing to meeting the NBFDS requirement? All applicable product labels have been updated to include “Contains a bioengineered food ingredient”.

*Source: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/BE_Consumer.pdf

On our website, each product page includes an image of the product’s nutrition facts and ingredients. There is also an “Ingredients” tab where ingredients and applicable allergens are listed.

As part of our product development process, we strive to achieve a balance of sodium that will ensure optimal flavor, shelf life, and nutrition. Because sodium plays an important role in each of these emergency food attributes, we do not offer low sodium products.

Sodium plays an important role in the formulation and production of emergency food. From an overall health perspective, sodium provides an essential source of electrolytes which is critical to the stability of vital body functions. In disasters and survival situations, activity levels substantially increase which means the body uses electrolytes at a much faster rate and must be replaced more frequently. Survival food is an important source for that electrolyte replacement.

We offer precooked 100% real, freeze-dried chicken and beef as well as vegetarian meat substitutes (Textured Vegetable Protein) in a variety of savory flavors.  

For optimal flexibility when preparing meals, most complete meal solutions are meat free or meat flavored. This allows you the option to add real meat or soy-based meat substitutes as you desire.

We also offer several complete meals solutions that include 100% real freeze-dried chicken or beef.

With a Bung Wrench/Bucket Lid Opener (best):

Pails are easily opened using a bucket lid opener, also known as a bung wrench. We suggest you store at least one bung wrench next to your food storage pails so they can be quickly opened in an emergency. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions.

By Hand:

1. Remove tear strip from lid.

2. Place knee in center of lid and apply heavy pressure (this is very important as it releases pressure from the seal).

3. Using both hands, lift lid with fingers in a small area (gloves are helpful).

4. Continue lifting small sections at a time around the lid until it releases.

The best way to open a large, #10 can is with a heavy duty or commercial grade can opener. Everyday kitchen openers will work however they are not quite as easy to use as the larger openers.

Industrial Size Cans (#10): Augason Farms uses cans made with “tinplate.” Tinplate is a thin, L-grade stainless steel sheet coated with 99.9% pure tin using a process called electroplating. The coating provides a physical barrier to oxygen and water, stopping the can from rust and corrosion. L-grade steel (low-carbon steel) is used because of its resistance to corrosion after welding. Because of tinplate’s excellent resistance to corrosion, it is commonly used for food and beverages. Note that tin-free steel may be used on can ends.

Buckets & Pails: Our food-grade buckets and pails are made with high-density polyethylene plastic, referred to as HDPE #2. With HDPE, the molecules are more tightly packed than other plastics resulting in less plastic leaching into your food storage. HDPE is also a very sturdy plastic making it ideal for stackable, long-term food storage.

Metallyte™ Pouches: Metallyte™ (also known as mylar) is made of food-safe metalized plastic and nylon, providing a barrier between your food and contaminants like moisture, light, and oxygen. Mylar provides an aroma barrier and is puncture-resistant, protecting your food from rodents and insects. Fun fact about Mylar: designed initially by NASA for blankets and long-term food storage.

All Augason Farms food containers are compliant with federal regulations.

Rodents (rats and mice in this context) can and will chew on anything that is not harder than their teeth. And if you can believe, their teeth are harder than iron or copper (ranked 5.5 on the Mohs Scale). So, while they can quickly eat through soft plastic, Augason Farms uses pails made from high-density polyethylene plastic (referred to as HDPE #2), making it more difficult—but not impossible—for rodents to chew through.

When it comes to long-term food storage, it’s important to remember these factors for “gnaw-ability”:

1. 1. Rodents need to motivation to gnaw, meaning they follow their nose for food sources. If they cannot smell it, they are less likely to attempt to get to it.
2. 2. Successful gnawing requires the right kind of surface or edge. Rodents’ teeth point backward, making it difficult for them to gnaw into the smooth surface of a plastic pail.
3. 3. Once inside the pail, rats may encounter yet another barrier: food pouches made with multi-layer Metallyte™ film. This film is widely used for food products because it provides an aroma barrier and is puncture resistant.

The take-a-way: Unless rodents have absolutely no other food-source option, they are unlikely to chew through smooth, heavy-duty pails and then through multi-layer pouches.

Our bucket lids are made with a heavy-duty plastic seal. When the bucket remains unopened and airtight, the seal prevents bugs from invading the food. After opening the bucket, the seal remains inside the lid. When the lid is closed properly, it will help keep bugs out. However, the bucket is no longer airtight and not entirely bug-proof.

There are countless ways to prepare our foods, making it easier for you to tailor your food supply to suit you cooking preferences. Here are a few examples:

Complete Meal Solutions: These are meals that simply require adding water to the mix and cooking, for example soups, entrees, breakfast items. Most meals are best when cooked until ingredients such as rice or noodles reach desired tenderness, typically for 10 to 15 minutes.

Individual Food Products & Ingredients: This includes products such as freeze-dried fruits and vegetables that can be enjoyed straight from the package as a quick grab-and-go snack. Others may be used in recipes or added to complete meal solutions to extend their number of servings.

On our website, each product page includes an image of products’ prep directions (included with the Nutrition Facts image). There is also a “Directions” tab with basic prep directions. Product labels include additional directions and recipes.

Yes! Here’s where you’ll find them:

Can Labels: Recipes are printed on individual can labels.

Website: Go to the “About Us” tab and click on Recipes. We add new recipes regularly.

Fruit & Vegetable Variety Pails: As a bonus, our Fruit Variety Pails and Vegetable Variety Pails include a recipe book with easy and delicious recipes using Augason Farms shelf-stable, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Recipes include Broccoli Stir Fry, Chicken Pot Pie, Apple Pie, Strawberry Jelly Buns, and many more.

Extreme temperatures and moisture will reduce the shelf life of your food. For best results, store food in a cool and dry location at temperatures between 55°F and 70°F. Actual shelf life may vary based on individual storage conditions.

The quality and taste of most Augason Farms products will last up to 20 or 30 years; however, it varies based on food type, ingredients, and storage conditions. Some products have a shorter shelf life. For example, eggs stay fresh up to 10 years, and granola stays fresh up to 5 years. Extreme temperatures will deteriorate the quality and shelf life. For best results, store in a cool and dry place at temperatures between 55°F and 70°F. You will find the shelf life of individual products on our website under each product description.

Two reasons:

1. Storage conditions play an important role in a product’s actual shelf life. Products stored in high temperatures or wet conditions will deteriorate more rapidly.

2. Some pails or kits contain individually packaged food pouches, each with a unique shelf life. Most food pouches have a 25-year shelf life. Typically, only one or two food pouches within a pail or kit have a 10-year shelf life (due to the presence of eggs or small amounts of oil).

In optimal storage conditions, most Augason Farms products will stay fresh for up to 25 or 30 years. However, products that include eggs or small amounts of oil have reduced shelf life of up to 10 years. Please refer to individual food containers or pouches for “Best By” dates.

Large Cans & Bulk Pails:

To determine when your product expires, please refer to the “Lot Code” (also known as “Date of Manufacture”) printed on the bottom or back of the packaging. The Lot Code is printed in this format: “Lot Code Day/Month/Year”. To determine the expiration date (also known as “Best By” date), add the shelf life (printed on the front label) to the Lot Code “year”. The result gives you the product’s expiration date. For Example:

Lot Code on package states:  23Aug21 (August 23, 2021)

Shelf Life on front label states: Up to 25 years

Add:  2021 + 25 = 2046

Best By Date is:  23Aug46 (August 23, 2046)

Pails/Kits:

Each individual food pouch within a pail is printed with a unique Lot Code (also known as “Date of Manufacturer”). The Lot Code is printed in this format: “Lot Code Day/Month/Year”. To determine the expiration date (also known as “Best By” date), add the shelf life (printed on the front label) to the Lot Code “year”. The result gives you the product’s expiration date. For Example:

Lot Code on food pouch states:  23Aug21 (August 23, 2021)

Shelf Life on pail label states:  Up to 25 years

Add:  2021 + 25 = 2046

Best By Date is:  23Aug46 (August 23, 2046)

Please note that we recently began printing both “Lot Code” and “Best By” dates on our packaging to help avoid confusion. Newer products will also state the specific expiration date.

Please enjoy your Augason Farms food within one year of opening. Note: You may open food supply kits without compromising the shelf life of unopened, individually sealed pouches.

Shelf-stable food begins with the packaging. Augason Farms chooses the highest-quality packaging to provide the ultimate protection from potential contaminants like moisture, light, and oxygen. Packages include oxygen absorbers, which keep oxygen levels at .01% or less. Without oxygen, pathogens and organisms simply cannot grow.

Monday - Friday

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Mountain Time)

We do not have a retail store, please purchase directly from our retail partners.

Yes. Our parent company, Blue Chip Group, provides custom blending and private label services via their BCG Manufacturing Division. If you are interested, please email the BCG Manufacturing Division directly at sales@bcgmanufacturing.com.