Notes with Sue: Packaging
Sometimes, I wish we only carried a couple of products (this is said with humor from the person who just launched a new product). It would be simpler to manage inventory, paperwork, and packaging. While the idea of carrying fewer products appeals to us, deciding which ones to discontinue is a challenging task.
During the pandemic, supply shortages led us to explore alternative packaging solutions. After thorough research, we opted for a compostable packaging that claimed to be airtight and maintain shelf stability for our products.
After nearly a year of monitoring, we've discovered that compostable packaging hasn't progressed sufficiently to meet our shelf stability standards. In line with our dedication to environmental responsibility, we've chosen to adopt Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) packaging.
In our pursuit of sustainability, we're actively working on transitioning all our products to preprinted PCR packaging. This process comes with an 8-10 week lead time, plus additional time for graphic design and approval. The new packaging will resemble the pouches used for our Salmon Mini RUFF BARS.
Until the preprinted versions are ready, RUFF BAR packaging will remain clear with labels, and our pouches will be white PCR with labels.
Other notes coming soon: Graphic design and labeling, along with ingredients sourced with a focus on environmental sustainability.
What is Ruff Food?
The idea for freeze-dried backpacking meals came when our daughter was backpacking with her dog in 2018. Our family are raw feeders, and my daughter needed meals for her dog for an upcoming trip. At the time, we had a medium-sized Harvest Right Freeze Dryer.
We started with the meals we fed, formed them into pucks, and freeze dried them. While out backpacking, the freeze-dried meals were crumbled into a bowl and water added to reconstitute.
At home, we combined raw meats, blended specifically for dogs, and add our base mix, other supplements and either warm water or bone broth. We shared a few of our home freeze dried meals with some of our ambassadors, and Kairos Pantry was born. This year, we rebranded Kairos Pantry to RUFF FOOD since it aligns well with outdoor adventuring.
Over time, the process for how we make our freeze-dried food has changed but not the formula. Our meals are 90% protein and 10% veggies, fruit and seeds. RUFF FOOD protein is made up of muscle, organ, and bone, but salmon and whitefish currently exclude bone and, of course, organs. Our recipe does not include potatoes, legumes or other fillers.
We source all ingredients from the U.S. and many of the ingredients locally. Our meats are grass fed, antibiotic and hormone free. The fish we select are wild caught. We only use organic veggies, fruits and seeds. We freeze dry the meats separately and then add our base mix of veggies, fruit and seeds.
Did you know freeze dried food will continue to be raw if the product is raw going into the freeze dryer?
We started with 4 oz packaging and many customers requested larger size bags. We listened and added a 16 oz bag option. We’ve learned many customers use RUFF FOOD as a topper. In the future we will be moving to an 8 oz and the 4 oz size will only be available upon request. We are working on preprinted pouches made with PCR plastic and RUFF FOOD.
Our meals are formulated using AAFCO standards and are third-party tested to provide guaranteed analysis.
Healthy Coat & Dog Allergy Herb Mix
Frozen Kairos Herb Treats
Here's a fun way of feeding your dogs their daily herbs!
These simple dog treats have just two ingredients: Big Sky Supplements herbs and bone broth!
Mix 1 cup of herb mix of your choice (whatever your dog needs - here we are using 'Flex', our dog joint supplement) with 1 cup of broth, put into silicone molds and freeze. Once they are firm, pop them out and store in a container or plastic bag in the freezer until use.
Thank you @sandi_n_aspen for this recipe and the wonderful photos! Let us know how your dog likes it!
To not exceed the daily herb dosage for your dog, please follow these guidelines:
| Dog Size | Daily Herb Dosage |
 Up to 11 lbs (5 kg)12 lbs – 22 lbs (5-10 kg) 23 lbs – 44 lbs (10-20 kg) 45 lbs – 66 lbs (20-30 kg) 67 lbs – 88 lbs (30-40 kg) Over 89 lbs (40 kg) |
1/2 tsp 1 tsp 1.5 tsp 2 tsp 2.5 tsp 3 tsp |