The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a frozen block by mixing meat, salts, vegetables, and alpha starch.

A container or device in a combination for thawing frozen food items in a thawing process is described. It is at least partially filled with a fixed amount of water, with the food items in a leak-proof package completely submerged within the water. A housing of the device or container has slits that serve as inlets for the water to be drawn therein. A submersible pump within the housing agitates water from the container that is drawn in through the slits. An agitator outlet of the housing or container exhausts the water agitated by the pump into the container so as to be continuously circulated over the one or more frozen food items. This is done at specified water temperature and flowrate ranges such that no food items within the leak-proof package exceed 40 F. during the thawing process.

An example modular meal system includes two or more modular meal components. Example modular meal components include a tray, a meal component disposed within the tray, and a sauce component disposed within the tray. The meal component is selected from a protein component, a starch component, a vegetable component, an appetizer component, and a dessert component. Each modular meal component is configured and/or formulated to reach at least 165 F. or at least 167 F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350 F. to about 450 F.

An example modular meal system includes two or more modular meal components. Example modular meal components include a tray, a meal component disposed within the tray, and a sauce component disposed within the tray. The meal component is selected from a protein component, a starch component, a vegetable component, an appetizer component, and a dessert component. Each modular meal component is configured and/or formulated to reach at least 165 F. or at least 167 F. when heated from frozen for a heating time period within the range of from about 20 minutes to about 60 minutes and at a heating temperature within the range of about 350 F. to about 450 F.

An article and a method of making thereof. The article includes a frozen plant-based milk concentrate comprising water and at least 20 wt % ground paste, and a planar tray defining at least one compartment. Each compartment is sized to contain no more than four ounces of the frozen plant-based milk concentrate, and (ii) at least a portion of the frozen plant-based milk concentrate is disposed in and forms a wedge in the at least one compartment.

A packaged meal kit includes a container, a liner, a first cold pack, a frozen food item, a protective insert, a non-frozen food item, a second cold pack, and instructions. The liner is disposed adjacent an interior of the container. The first cold pack is disposed in a bottom of the container adjacent the liner. The frozen food item is disposed above the first cold pack. The protective insert is disposed above the frozen food item. The protective insert includes a hollow cross-section. The non-frozen food item is disposed in the hollow cross-section. The second cold pack is disposed above the protective insert. Instructions are disposed in the container for preparing a meal including the frozen and non-frozen food items.

A method of optimizing packaging for shipping a perishable item includes determining a cooling capacity of an insulated package assembly sufficient to maintain a temperature of a perishable item below a threshold temperature throughout shipping. A first volume of a consumable food product is determined such that the insulated package assembly including the perishable item and the first volume of the consumable food product has the determined cooling capacity. The insulated package assembly is assembled by providing an outer container and positioning within the outer container. A cooling pack is positioned within an insulated cavity defined by the insulator. The cooling pack includes the first volume of the consumable food product. A perishable item package is positioned within the insulated cavity proximate the cooling pack. The perishable item package includes the ordered perishable item. The insulated package assembly is shipped to the destination address.

A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device having a thermal container that defines a first volume and a second volume includes disposing a first food item in the first volume. A second food item and a third food item are disposed in the second volume in a first position and a second position, respectively. A volume of fluid having a first temperature is circulated through the first volume to transfer thermal energy to the first food item. After a predetermined time, at least a portion of the volume of fluid is heated to a second temperature. A portion of the volume of fluid is conveyed to the second volume such that (1) the second food item is substantially submerged in the portion of the volume of fluid and (2) the third food item is disposed substantially outside of the portion of the volume of fluid.

A food preparation system that can simultaneously freeze and shape liquids quickly and has a plurality of integral walls forming a cavity that may be used as a freezing surface, a removable tray that fits inside the cavity, a plurality of shaped freezing surfaces located on the tray, a top surface forming one of the integral walls which is used as a flash-freezing surface, a front panel interface forming one of the integral walls, and a plurality of control buttons located on the front panel interface which control the food preparation system.

A high efficiency airflow management system can be used to reliably and consistently draw air through palletized product stacks with a minimum of energy expenditure. A racking system is provided with a grid of pallet bays separated from an air plenum/chamber by a wall having an airflow opening for each pallet bays. An air seal is formed at the periphery of each opening by resiliently flexible side seals and a top seal to form a highly airtight interface between the pallet assembly and the adjacent airflow opening. When a pressure differential is developed between the chamber and the pallet bay, air is efficiently drawn substantially exclusively through the pallet assemblies with minimal leakage. The flexible sealing arrangement accommodates pallet assemblies with unevenly stacked rows of cases without significant loss of system efficiency.