Sending perishables to Iraq?

[erik the bold]

An acquaintance of mine has a son currently stationed in Iraq.  Poor kid is allergic to seafood and shellfish.  Wanted to know if Dad could find a way to send some nice steaks.  Mail takes two weeks, and sending via DHL, Fed-Ex, etc., are prohibitively expensive.

Anyone know how we can help this youn'un out ??

[wmenorr67]

Currently here in Iraq myself.  Depending on where the son is he could have access to a BX/PX that sells meat.  If that is the case Dad could send an AAFES gift card and let his son purchase the steaks for himself.  Other than that any good jerky and/or summer sausage would be a big hit as well.

[wingnutx]

What wmenorr67  said.

[Phantom Warrior]

Do you know where exactly the guy is stationed?  If he's on a small FOB or something (likely if he's Infantry, MP, or something like that) he probably won't have access to a commissary.  Our FOB just has a smallish PX.  Decent, but all packaged food.  Honestly, I'd be surprised to find fresh food, esp good steaks, even on the larger FOBs in the IZ.

To warn you, your mail will be abused.  It will be thrown around, stored in a hot conex (well, it is cooler this time of year), and possibly held up for a few weeks.  Don't send anything that can't handle abuse or at least isn't well packaged (think leaks). 

You could send him something vacuum sealed or something maybe???  Just thinking.  The next question is where is he going to cook it?

Anyway, I second the suggestion for jerky or summer sausage.  The steaks may be less than realistic. 

[wmenorr67]

I myself am on one of if not the smallest FOB in the IZ and was told that the larger PX's do have a meat department.  Was told that there is a selection of steaks, burger meat and even ribs.  Have not yet witnessed this for myself.  As for cooking the product we are in the military and have become quite good and adapting, inprovising and overcome such obsticles.  For example on my FOB we have two grills and an outdoor fireplace.  Cooking up a nice meal will not be a problem.  Just need to locate such fixin's.

[Phantom Warrior]

Reeeeally.  I knew you guys up in the IZ were living large, but damn.  I withdraw my earlier statements.  Except the one about mail.

[wingnutx]

The PX at Victory North had meat when I was there 2 years ago.

That was a pretty big BX.

[wmenorr67]

Hey Phantom, I didn't even mention the swimming pool.

[erik the bold]

Not sure where he's stationed, apparently somewhere that the PX doesn't have a meat department....

Just tryin' to help the feller out.   I do know that the mail takes about two weeks.

How long would dry ice last?  Think frozen steaks would make it two weeks?

[Desertdog]

Any ideas of what kind of decent foods/meats for the backpacker/camper are availaible?  I am thinking of freeze dried, no refrigeration needed, and other such types.

[meinbruder]

Not sure where he's stationed, apparently somewhere that the PX doesn't have a meat department....
Just tryin' to help the feller out.   I do know that the mail takes about two weeks.
How long would dry ice last?  Think frozen steaks would make it two weeks?

No, the steaks will be rotten by the time they get there.  We used to bring frozen tri-tip to Oregon and Pennsylvania. Car trip to OR, they were frozen, wrapped in towels, and packed in a case; partially thawed and put in a hotel freezer for the night on a two day drive.  Flight to PA, frozen, wrapped and packed; partially thawed on arrival.

I dont know about the dry ice.  It would start to melt at some point and make the package a soggy mess.  If you could find a Styrofoam ice chest it would help but the chest might not survive the handling. 

Have a look at this, http://www.jerkyhut.com/ , Ill vouch for their claim of being the best in the universe. 
}:)>