Fruit is on the no-no list, but I bought some dried strawberries and I'm hoping someone will just die out of happiness if I send them.  I read some of the other posts and fruit leather seems to be ok.  So is it fresh fruit that is bad or is dried fruit bad too? It is sealed in manufacturer's packaging.  Thanks for your help.

Yes, you can send dried fruit!  You can even send canned fruit and fruit cups (at least I have been for 5 years and I haven't been arrested yet).  You just can't send fresh fruit- i.e. an apple or banana- that's what's prohibited.

Ok thank you for your help.  I also got some banana chips.  =) 

No problem.  Where did you find dried strawberries at?  Never heard of those before, but they sound really good!

Try Trader Joe's...I can't remember if I've seen dried strawberries there before but they have all kinds of dried fruit. I've been sending the TJ "flattened bananas"...they're bananas cut lengthwise and dried and they taste great. I send them with a jar of Nutella to an infantry platoon and they really like them.

inkydigits:

 

Try Trader Joe's...I can't remember if I've seen dried strawberries there before but they have all kinds of dried fruit. I've been sending the TJ "flattened bananas"...they're bananas cut lengthwise and dried and they taste great. I send them with a jar of Nutella to an infantry platoon and they really like them.

That sounds so yummy! 

I found them at a Texas grocery store called HEB. (Which kinda funny, stands for the founder's intials, "Howard E. Butt" of the Butt Grocery Chain.)

Mariani is who makes the strawberries.  It looks like you can buy them online, and they also have a a store locater on their website:

http://www.marianifruit.com/locator/ 

 I see freeze dried fruit here but have not tried them:

http://www.thereadystore.com/freezedriedfoods.php?subcat=29&load=new 

Hi Everyone!

Am new here but thought I'd send along a suggestion.  (It just ate my previous post so let me put it back together...sigh).

I'm recommending a site where you can get HEALTHY, tasty, light weight, freeze dried fruits AND VEGGIES.  A lot of posts seem to ask for healthy stuff so this is great.  (Smile you mothers of soldiers out there!)  They even offer some organic options.  The fruits offered: apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, kiwi, mangoes, peaches, persimmon, pineapple, pomegranate, raisins, raspberries, and strawberries, and mixtures like strawberries and bananas and "fruit salad".  For veggies they offer: carrots (bits---not whole carrots...lol), corn, and peas (all great for snacking), tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and roasted garlic (all great for cooking, and they have cook books), and soy nuts.  Sorry, no broccoli or French fries...yet...lol.  And, for the soldier who craves something spicey they offer a HOT veggie mix with jalapenos.  Of course they have mixtures and gift baskets and I believe do free shipping over $100.  I don't work for them.  They are just local to me and I love their products.  Give them a try!  You'll be hooked!

 http://www.justtomatoes.com/

Wishing you all the best!

Debbie

I've bought the 'Just Tomatoes' peas, carrots, mushrooms, green onions and roasted garlic for myself and have been really happy with these. (I've also bought the bananas but felt that those didn't age well at all).  I'm a little iffy about the packaging though. These come in the flimsy plastic tubs like items that are made in the grocery store. They are sealed around the rim with a little clear plastic band but they have a very 'packaged-at-home' look to them. I was concerned that it might be rejected as home made if I sent it. Also, since the packaging isn't airtight it really does need to be eaten within a few months (but the stuff in my cupboard doesn't have any expiration dates on it?). It can't be set aside for the next ice age like 'Alpine Aire' and 'Mountain House' but when fresh I think 'Just Tomatoes' a superior product. They DO show how their products are packaged on the website so it might be accepted by someone with regular internet access.

Hi

 I am new here and have been lurking about catching up on all of the posts. Have not even taken the time to introduce myself(will do that soon). I just checked out the website that you mentioned. I think this is wonderful .I never knew such stuff existed. I can't wait to try some. I like the fact that they come in many different sizes including individual servings. I did a store search and the sell them locally. Thank you for the info.

 Shelli

I can tell you that yes you can send dried fruit and it sounds like a great idea, something that a soldier can take on the go, whether in a Humvee or an assault pack would be ideal.