Our Story

Welcome to Grandpa Jerry's Freeze-Dried Meals. Discover our journey, our passion for food preservation. We're dedicated to quality, flavor, and ensuring the pantry is always prepared.

How it all began

Our story at Grandpa Jerry's began with a simple, yet profound, purchase: a home freeze dryer. Faced with challenging economic times and the rising cost of food, we sought a more practical and sustainable approach to food preservation other than traditional canning. After the first few batches, we were completely hooked. Freeze drying proved to be a superior method, perfectly preserving food's original flavor, natural color, and most importantly, its vital nutritional value for the long term.

Our culinary secrets

What makes Grandpa Jerry's truly special? It's all in our home-cooked culinary secrets, meticulously crafted using only the freshest ingredients. We take immense pride in crafting meals that not only last but also taste like they were just prepared. This dedication to freshness and traditional cooking methods is the heart of what we do, ensuring every bite is a delightful experience.

Meet Grandpa Jerry

Grandpa Jerry isn't just a name; he's the heart and soul behind our mission. As a proud disabled military veteran, wilderness survival instructor, and practical prepper, he deeply understands the importance of preparedness and long-term food security. Grandpa Jerry grew up in a low-income family in the outskirts of a tiny town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His parents gardened during the growing season, and Jerry's yearly hunts with his dad were paramount to getting food on the table and making it through the year. Grandpa Jerry's parents, living on little, always made a lot out of it, and the family never went without food.

His personal philosophy centers on the belief in food preservation for the long term, especially for times when food might become scarce. This commitment to resilience and practical living is infused into every meal, ensuring peace of mind for the pantry.

 

Pictured left: Grandpa Jerry at FOB Bucca, Iraq. Circa 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured left: Grandpa Jerry, wife Rebecca, and daughter Renae. Circa 2025.