Blog 5 of a 5 Blog Series

Why Freeze-Dried Just Works for Real Life

Fresh food subscriptions like The Farmer’s Dog have done something important:
they’ve helped pet parents rethink what “normal” dog food looks like.

That’s a good thing.

Whole food, real ingredients, and biologically appropriate nutrition matter. But as many families discover after a few months, fresh food subscriptions often come with real-life trade-offs.

We carry samples. affordable starter boxes, and can even have the food drop-shipped to your address.

The Reality of Fresh Food Subscriptions

For a medium-sized dog (40–50 lbs), fresh food subscriptions often land in this range:

$6–$10 per day
$180–$300+ per month
$2,000–$3,500 per year

On top of cost, there are other considerations:

Freezer space (often several drawers or a dedicated freezer)
Planning around deliveries
Thawing meals daily
Food waste if plans change or travel comes up

For some families, that works beautifully.
For many others, it becomes unsustainable.

And here’s the key lesson we’ve learned:

The best food is the food you can feed consistently.

Save your freezer space with Simple Food Project

Where Freeze-Dried Changes the Equation

Simple Food Project uses freeze-drying, which removes moisture while preserving nutrients—without cooking the food into something unrecognizable.

What that means in real life:

Shelf-stable storage (no freezer required)
Long shelf life once opened
No thawing, no spoilage
Easy to feed at home, while traveling, or during boarding

You can scoop and serve dry—or add warm water to rehydrate.

Let’s Talk Numbers (Because They Matter)

Freeze-dried food often sounds expensive—until you break it down.

For many dogs, Simple Food Project works out to roughly:

$3–$6 per day depending on size and recipe
$90–$180 per month
Often 30–50% less than fresh food subscriptions

And because there’s no subscription:

You buy what you need, when you need it
No overstocking the freezer
No pressure to “use it before it expires”

That flexibility alone makes it more realistic for many households.

Better Food, Fewer Barriers

At Riverview Kennels, we didn’t choose Simple Food Project because it was trendy.

We chose it because it:

Feeds real canine biology
Fits real budgets
Works in real homes
Makes upgrades possible without all-or-nothing pressure

Many of our families use it:

As a full diet
Mixed into kibble
As one meal a day
For travel or boarding consistency

Every upgrade counts.

Find Simple Food Project in Our Lobby

If you’ve been curious about real food for your dog or cat but hesitant about cost, storage, or complexity, this is one of the easiest ways to start.