What is a freeze-dried meal?
Freeze-drying transforms freshly cooked meals into lightweight, shelf-stable food by gently removing moisture under low temperatures and vacuum pressure. This advanced process locks in flavour, texture, and nutrients far better than conventional drying methods, allowing each meal to retain its integrity and taste. When rehydrated, it returns remarkably close to its original, freshly prepared form.
By removing moisture—the main cause of spoilage—and packaging each meal in a high-barrier pouch with an oxygen absorber, followed by nitrogen flushing to further reduce residual oxygen, we create a product that is naturally preserved without the need for additives or refrigeration. This multi-layer protection helps guard against oxidation, moisture, and degradation over time. Under ideal conditions, freeze-dried foods are widely recognised to last up to 25 years. While our products have not yet been tested over that full timeframe, they are designed for long-term stability.
Currently, our standard pouches have a shelf life of up to 3 years when stored unopened in a cool, dry place. As with all stored foods, regular rotation is recommended to maintain optimal quality and freshness.
Do you have a physical / walk-in shop?
We currently operate exclusively online. All orders can be placed directly through our website and delivered to your door. We do not take telephonic or e-mail orders.
Where can i buy ON HAND meals?
Our meals are available exclusively through our website
What are ON HAND meals used for?
ON HAND meals are designed for a wide range of uses, including:
- Everyday convenience meals
- Travel and `PADKOS`
- Camping and hiking
- Emergency food storage
- Load shedding situations
How do I prepare an On Hand meal?
Add hot water directly to the pouch, stir if required, reseal, and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Each meal is designed to rehydrate quickly and conveniently.
Preparation instructions and exact water quantities are printed on the back of every pouch.
Our meals are available in three convenient formats:
- Solo (1 serving) and Duo (2 servings) – designed for convenience and can be enjoyed directly from the pouch, wherever you are.
- Family (4 servings) – ideal for sharing and best prepared in a pot or suitable cooking utensil.
Do I need boiling water?
Boiling water is recommended for best results. If boiling water is not available, very hot water will still rehydrate the meal, although texture may vary slightly.
How long do On Hand meals last?
On Hand meals have a long shelf life when stored unopened in a cool, dry place. Each pouch is clearly marked with a best-before date, in line with South African food labelling requirements.
Are ON HAND meals suitable for emergency or back-up food
Yes. Because they are lightweight, long-lasting, and require minimal preparation, ON HAND meals are ideal for emergency kits and backup food supplies
What is nitrogen flushing and why is it used?
Before sealing, each pouch is nitrogen-flushed using food-grade nitrogen to reduce oxygen levels. As an inert gas that is slightly heavier than oxygen, nitrogen helps displace and limit residual oxygen within the pouch. This slows oxidation and supports the preservation of flavors, colour, and nutritional value over time, without the need for preservatives.
Do you use preservatives?
No. On Hand meals do not rely on chemical preservatives. Shelf life is achieved through freeze-drying, nitrogen flushing, and proper packaging.
Are these meals only for hiking and camping?
No. While they’re ideal for outdoor use, On Hand meals are also suited to everyday situations — busy workdays, travel, load-shedding, emergency storage, or when cooking isn’t practical.
How should unopened meals be stored?
Store unopened pouches in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Refrigeration or freezing is not required.
Is nutritional information provided?
Yes. Nutritional information is displayed on each product in accordance with South African labelling regulations, allowing customers to make informed choices.
How spicey are your meals (especially the curries)
One of our hikers mentioned the curry flavor was a bit strong for them, while others found it just right. As a general guide, our curries are on the mild side-but, of course, taste is personal, so we always appreciate feedback
Are allergens declared?
Yes. All known allergens are clearly listed on the packaging, in line with South African food safety and labelling standards.
Where are On Hand meals made?
On Hand meals are produced and packaged at our designated facility, as indicated on each pouch, in accordance with strict quality control procedures to ensure food safety, consistency, and reliability.
How much water do I need to add?
The amount of water required depends on the serving size. Each pouch clearly indicates the exact quantity needed. In general, meals require boiling water added directly to the pouch, followed by a short resting time while the ingredients rehydrate.
Do the meals contain real meat and ingredients?
Yes. On Hand meals are made from properly cooked meals using real ingredients, including free-range meat where applicable. The meals are then freeze-dried to preserve flavour, texture, and nutrition.
Can the meals be eaten without reheating?
Boiling water provides the best taste and texture. In situations where boiling water is not available, very hot or even room-temperature water can still rehydrate the meal, although it may take longer and the texture may vary slightly.
Are the meals suitable for emergency storage?
Yes. Because the meals are lightweight, shelf-stable, and require minimal preparation, they are well suited for emergency food storage, travel kits, and load-shedding situations.
Freeze-dried foods are widely recognised worldwide for their potential to last up to 25 years when properly packaged and stored under ideal conditions. While this has not yet been tested or verified for our products, they are designed with long-term storage in mind.
Currently, our standard pouches have a shelf life of up to 3 years when stored unopened in a cool, dry place. As with all stored foods, regular rotation is recommended to maintain optimal quality and freshness.
How long does preparation take?
Most On Hand meals are ready within a few minutes after adding boiling water.
- Soups: approximately 5–10 minutes
- Meals: approximately 10–15 minutes
Simply add boiling water to the pouch, stir well, reseal or cover, and allow the ingredients to rehydrate before serving.
Why does soups have a less rehydrated time than meals
Soup has a head start, really. Since it was originally cooked with a lot of liquid, when you freeze-dry it, that structure remains porous. So, when you add water again, it gets absorbed quickly back into that same structure. In contrast, a more solid meal—like a piece of meat or a dense stew—needs time for water to fully penetrate those thicker, more compact pieces. So soups are like sponges, ready to soak it all in fast!
How long does ON hand meals last
Freeze-dried meals are known for their long shelf life. When properly protected from moisture, oxygen, and light, they can remain stable for extended periods.
Each On Hand meal is packed in a high-barrier pouch and includes an oxygen absorber to help reduce oxygen inside the package, protecting the food and supporting a long shelf life without the need for preservatives.
Because freeze-dried food is shelf-stable, the meals can be stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration. While industry standards suggest that properly packaged freeze-dried foods may last up to 25 years under ideal conditions, our products have not yet been tested over that full timeframe. It is good practice to rotate stored food regularly to ensure optimal quality and freshness.
Currently, our standard pouches have a shelf life of up to 3 years when stored unopened in a cool, dry place.
Why do some ON HAND bags look puffy while others don’t?
Our meals are packed with care using nitrogen flushing and an oxygen absorber to help protect freshness, flavour, colour, and nutritional value over time.
Because of this process, some bags may look slightly puffy at first, while others may appear more vacuumed down. This is normal.
A few things can affect how the bag looks:
- Nitrogen flushing can leave the bag looking fuller when packed.
- The oxygen absorber gradually removes oxygen from inside the pouch.
- Some of the remaining gas can also be absorbed naturally by the product itself, which may cause the bag to lose some of its puffiness over time.
- Different meals and ingredients can settle a little differently, so not every pouch will look exactly the same.
As long as the seal is intact, this variation in appearance is completely normal and
does not mean there is a problem with the product.
