Where can I find tips or recommendations for sending food gifts overseas to the U.S. Military?
A. The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline offers the following recommendations for sending food gifts to U.S armed service members overseas: • Dried beef or poultry such as beef jerky, turkey jerky or beef slims are safe to mail. Bacteria cant grow in foods preserved by removing moisture. • Dehydrated soups and drink mixes are lightweight and safe to mail. Condiments such as hot sauce and Cajun seasonings in packets or unbreakable jars are useful for spice lovers. • Canned specialties such as corned beef, anchovies, shrimp, dips and cracker spreads make nice treats. Recipients should be cautioned not to use any cans that are damaged or swollen. Foods in glass containers should not be mailed because they can break. • Dense and dry baked goods such as fruit cakes and biscotti are good choices for mailing because they will not mold. Other suitable baked goods include commercially packaged cakes and cookies in airtight tins, dry cookies such as ginger snaps and specialty crackers. • High-moistu
