HOW FREEZE-DRYING WORKS
Fresh or cooked foods are flash frozen, then placed in a vacuum chamber.
About 92% of the foods' moisture is drawn off by evaporating the ice at temperatures as low as -85 degrees F.
The freeze-dried food is sealed in moisture and oxygen proof packaging to ensure freshness until opened.
When the water is replaced, the food retains its original fresh flavor, aroma, texture and appearance.
Fresh or cooked foods are flash frozen, then placed in a vacuum chamber.
About 98% of the food's moisture is drawn off by evaporating the ice at temperatures as low as -85 degrees F.
The freeze-dried food is sealed in moisture and oxygen proof packaging to ensure freshness until opened.
When the water is replaced, the food retains its original fresh flavor, aroma, texture and appearance.
Great meals don’t happen by accident. At Grandma Lucy’s, every bag starts with whole, human-quality ingredients and a process so gentle it keeps all the good stuff right where it belongs: in your pet's bowl. No mystery meat, no nonsense—just pure, carefully crafted meals your pet will love (and you’ll feel good about serving).
Every Grandma Lucy’s recipe starts the same way — in the kitchen, not a lab. We handpick every ingredient for a reason, crafting each recipe with a purpose: to help pets live healthier, happier lives. From our first batch to your pet's bowl, we taste-test, tweak, and perfect until Grandma says, ‘That’s the one.’ Because around here, food isn’t finished until it’s family (and vet) approved.
RAW INGREDIENTS
We remain committed to using the highest quality ingredients from trusted suppliers and farms. Grandma Lucy’s requires all of our suppliers to sign a Vendor Promise stating that the ingredients are processed in a human-grade facility, the country of origin, are free of chemicals and preservatives, each batch is tested for salmonella, lead, e-coli, mercury, arsenic, coliform, and melamine in accordance with human food standards.
MINIMALLY PROCESSED
Skilled staff inspect all incoming and outgoing products for quality assurance. Our kitchen then carefully cuts and prepares the meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables for each formula. The foundation of our outstanding food rests in the whole food ingredients. We do not use any meals or by-products, only ingredients with names you can pronounce. This ensures that every bite is whole food nutrition.
FREEZING
Meats, fish, poultry, etc. are placed on metal trays and loaded into our walk-in freezers where they will freeze for 24 hours. After 24 hours the ingredients are now ready to be freeze-dried. Our gentle freeze-drying process is achieved at an extremely low vacuum pressure and temperature.
Our gentle freeze-drying process removes 92% of the water contained in our ingredients, leaving a food that is lightweight, compact, shelf-stable and preservative-free. Freeze-drying, as compared to other drying processes such as dehydrating or air drying, is better at retaining the characteristics of the raw food. It is well known that the process retains more flavor components and results in reconstituted textures that most closely approximate the original meats and vegetables.
THE ADVANTAGES OF FREEZE-DRYING
Shelf Stable - No Refrigeration Required
Since the water and oxygen have been removed from freeze-dried food it does not require refrigeration when stored and is safe to store at room temperature for long periods of time.
Lightweight
Once water is removed the weight of the freeze-dried food can be reduced by as much as 80%.
Fast Rehydration Time
Freeze-dried foods are moisture sensitive and rehydrate in minutes.
Taste, Texture & Aroma
Freeze-drying uses low levels of heat so most food closely retains the taste, texture and aroma of it’s fresh counterpart.
Careful attention is given to our mixing and blending process. All ingredients are hand-sorted, measured, and inspected before being placed in our custom tumblers. These tumblers allow the whole food ingredients to mix evenly without damage. Larger pieces of freeze-dried meat, poultry and fish are finely ground and added to each blend to ensure a complete and balanced diet in every bite.
PROPRIETARY FLAKING PROCESS
Our legumes, potatoes, and hemp undergo a propriety process to create a highly nutritious flake. This distinct process protects the nutritious integrity of these whole foods while still allowing for a quick rehydration time. Once water is added back to the food, the result is a soft flake with texture and nutrition pets love.
HOME PREPARED FOODS
The freeze-dried blend is gravity-fed from our custom tumblers and sealed in moisture and oxygen proof packaging to ensure freshness until opened. When water is replaced, the food retains its original fresh flavor, aroma, texture and appearance. Our blends are then case packed and stored until testing can be done.
All of our products are made in small batches so food and treats are basically made to order. This means you can be assured you are receiving the freshest food possible. We are thrilled to be able to sell our products all over the world which is a long way from selling our treats at community events in Orange County, CA back in 1999.
We test our products prior to shipping as required for our inspections. Test results from our suppliers are also received prior to the raw ingredients entering our facility. This double testing process allows us to monitor and check the quality and safety each step of the way, from farm to final packaging.
All incoming materials are carefully inspected upon arrival to ensure their quality prior to going into production. These ingredients are transferred to their holding areas to await their turn to be used in one of our delicious recipes.
So much fun happens up here! Our sales team is always there to support our retail partners to help bring Grandma Lucy’s to as many pets as possible. When not playing with puppies, our Marketing Team is creating fun content to share with you all on social media. They also are a huge help in managing our charity program, Project Pet RAK, that allows us to bring healthy meals to those special pets around the country.
Great meals don’t happen by accident. At Grandma Lucy’s, every bag starts with whole, human-quality ingredients and a process so gentle it keeps all the good stuff right where it belongs: in your pet's bowl. No mystery meat, no nonsense—just pure, carefully crafted meals your pet will love (and you’ll feel good about serving).
Every Grandma Lucy’s recipe starts the same way — in the kitchen, not a lab. We handpick every ingredient for a reason, crafting each recipe with a purpose: to help pets live healthier, happier lives. From our first batch to your pet's bowl, we taste-test, tweak, and perfect until Grandma says, ‘That’s the one.’ Because around here, food isn’t finished until it’s family (and vet) approved.
RAW INGREDIENTS
We remain committed to using the highest quality ingredients from trusted suppliers and farms. Grandma Lucy’s requires all of our suppliers to sign a Vendor Promise stating that the ingredients are processed in a human-grade facility, the country of origin, are free of chemicals and preservatives, each batch is tested for salmonella, lead, e-coli, mercury, arsenic, coliform, and melamine in accordance with human food standards.
MINIMALLY PROCESSED
Skilled staff inspect all incoming and outgoing products for quality assurance. Our kitchen then carefully cuts and prepares the meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables for each formula. The foundation of our outstanding food rests in the whole food ingredients. We do not use any meals or by-products, only ingredients with names you can pronounce. This ensures that every bite is whole food nutrition.
FREEZING
Meats, fish, poultry, etc. are placed on metal trays and loaded into our walk-in freezers where they will freeze for 24 hours. After 24 hours the ingredients are now ready to be freeze-dried. Our gentle freeze-drying process is achieved at an extremely low vacuum pressure and temperature.
Our gentle freeze-drying process removes 92% of the water contained in our ingredients, leaving a food that is lightweight, compact, shelf-stable and preservative-free. Freeze-drying, as compared to other drying processes such as dehydrating or air drying, is better at retaining the characteristics of the raw food. It is well known that the process retains more flavor components and results in reconstituted textures that most closely approximate the original meats and vegetables.
THE ADVANTAGES OF FREEZE-DRYING
Shelf Stable - No Refrigeration Required
Since the water and oxygen have been removed from freeze-dried food it does not require refrigeration when stored and is safe to store at room temperature for long periods of time.
Lightweight
Once water is removed the weight of the freeze-dried food can be reduced by as much as 80%.
Fast Rehydration Time
Freeze-dried foods are moisture sensitive and rehydrate in minutes.
Taste, Texture & Aroma
Freeze-drying uses low levels of heat so most food closely retains the taste, texture and aroma of it’s fresh counterpart.
Careful attention is given to our mixing and blending process. All ingredients are hand-sorted, measured, and inspected before being placed in our custom tumblers. These tumblers allow the whole food ingredients to mix evenly without damage. Larger pieces of freeze-dried meat, poultry and fish are finely ground and added to each blend to ensure a complete and balanced diet in every bite.
PROPRIETARY FLAKING PROCESS
Our legumes, potatoes, and hemp undergo a propriety process to create a highly nutritious flake. This distinct process protects the nutritious integrity of these whole foods while still allowing for a quick rehydration time. Once water is added back to the food, the result is a soft flake with texture and nutrition pets love.
HOME PREPARED FOODS
The freeze-dried blend is gravity-fed from our custom tumblers and sealed in moisture and oxygen proof packaging to ensure freshness until opened. When water is replaced, the food retains its original fresh flavor, aroma, texture and appearance. Our blends are then case packed and stored until testing can be done.
All of our products are made in small batches so food and treats are basically made to order. This means you can be assured you are receiving the freshest food possible. We are thrilled to be able to sell our products all over the world which is a long way from selling our treats at community events in Orange County, CA back in 1999.
We test our products prior to shipping as required for our inspections. Test results from our suppliers are also received prior to the raw ingredients entering our facility. This double testing process allows us to monitor and check the quality and safety each step of the way, from farm to final packaging.
All incoming materials are carefully inspected upon arrival to ensure their quality prior to going into production. These ingredients are transferred to their holding areas to await their turn to be used in one of our delicious recipes.
So much fun happens up here! Our sales team is always there to support our retail partners to help bring Grandma Lucy’s to as many pets as possible. When not playing with puppies, our Marketing Team is creating fun content to share with you all on social media. They also are a huge help in managing our charity program, Project Pet RAK, that allows us to bring healthy meals to those special pets around the country.
INGREDIENTS
WITH PURPOSE
Gently Cooked
& Family Safe
Our proteins are family safe with our 2 step, braising and freeze-drying process. This means our proteins are lightly cooked before freeze-drying. This process eliminates bacteria and provides a safer alternative for your pet, while maintaining nutritional value, cell structure, and a longer shelf life.
Long-Term
Partnerships
Family-like relationships deliver results and quality. We have developed strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure you have the safest and healthiest food for your pet. We only work with suppliers we trust to guarantee we are using the highest quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced. Many of our partners have been a part of the Grandma Lucy’s family since we started in 1999.
Whole Behind
Every Bite
The foundation of outstanding food rests in the ingredients. Grandma Lucy’s uses whole ingredients in all of our foods and treats. We do not use any meals or by-products, only ingredients you could buy at your local farmer’s market. This ensures that every bite your pet takes is full of whole food nutrition.
Quality You
Can Trust
Grandma Lucy’s requires all of our suppliers to sign a Vendor Promise stating the following: Ingredients are high quality; the ingredient’s country of origin; they are free of chemicals and preservatives; each batch is tested for salmonella, lead, e-coli, mercury, arsenic, coliform and melamine and that the ingredient is GMO free. It is our core focus to assure that all of the ingredients we use are the best available
Gently Cooked
& Family Safe
Our proteins are family safe with our 2 step, braising and freeze-drying process. This means our proteins are lightly cooked before freeze-drying. This process eliminates bacteria and provides a safer alternative for your pet, while maintaining nutritional value, cell structure, and a longer shelf life.
Long-Term
Partnerships
Family-like relationships deliver results and quality. We have developed strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure you have the safest and healthiest food for your pet. We only work with suppliers we trust to guarantee we are using the highest quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced. Many of our partners have been a part of the Grandma Lucy’s family since we started in 1999.
Whole Behind
Every Bite
The foundation of outstanding food rests in the ingredients. Grandma Lucy’s uses whole ingredients in all of our foods and treats. We do not use any meals or by-products, only ingredients you could buy at your local farmer’s market. This ensures that every bite your pet takes is full of whole food nutrition.
Quality You Can Trust
Grandma Lucy’s requires all of our suppliers to sign a Vendor Promise stating the following: Ingredients are high quality; the ingredient’s country of origin; they are free of chemicals and preservatives; each batch is tested for salmonella, lead, e-coli, mercury, arsenic, coliform and melamine and that the ingredient is GMO free. It is our core focus to assure that all of the ingredients we use are the best available
INGREDIENTS
WITH PURPOSE
Gently Cooked
& Family Safe
Our proteins are family safe with our 2 step, braising and freeze-drying process. This means our proteins are lightly cooked before freeze-drying. This process eliminates bacteria and provides a safer alternative for your pet, while maintaining nutritional value, cell structure, and a longer shelf life.
Whole Behind
Every Bite
The foundation of outstanding food rests in the ingredients. Grandma Lucy’s uses whole ingredients in all of our foods and treats. We do not use any meals or by-products, only ingredients you could buy at your local farmer’s market. This ensures that every bite your pet takes is full of whole food nutrition.
Long-Term
Partnerships
Family-like relationships deliver results and quality. We have developed strong relationships with our suppliers to ensure you have the safest and healthiest food for your pet. We only work with suppliers we trust to guarantee we are using the highest quality ingredients that are responsibly sourced. Many of our partners have been a part of the Grandma Lucy’s family since we started in 1999.
Quality You
Can Trust
Grandma Lucy’s requires all of our suppliers to sign a Vendor Promise stating the following: Ingredients are high quality; the ingredient’s country of origin; they are free of chemicals and preservatives; each batch is tested for salmonella, lead, e-coli, mercury, arsenic, coliform and melamine and that the ingredient is GMO free. It is our core focus to assure that all of the ingredients we use are the best available
