- This topic has 15 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 2 years, 10 months ago by Sheri Feld.
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Thanks!
I am going to try this method (wrap in dishtowel, paperbag, freeze, then package), thanks for posting — I am not getting ice crystals on loaves that are frozen, but when I thaw loaves to eat or donate I get a few tiny little moisture bubbles inside the packaging (and a few beads of moisture outside) – not many, but a few. Â (Yes, cooling 24 hours prior to packaging, etc.). Â Not on Facebook/Meta, so if there were any other freezer best practices, would love to hear them. Â Joanne
Sheri,
Such a great question. Claire gave you good advice. The only time not freeze the loaves is if you bake them on Saturday. All other days, bake and freeze. We don’t bake on Sundays because we run the risk of packaging the loaves when they are still giving off heat.
And while freezing loaves that are only a day old may seem a bit conservative, it does help extend the shelf life at the food bank and provides us with organizational consistency!
So bake Monday – Friday, freeze the loaves and take them to your hub on Sunday, straight from the freezer. Bake on Saturday, package on Sunday and take those loaves straight to your hub.
Have a great donation weekend!
Katherine
Sheri, if you can put them in your freezer and bring them to your Hub frozen. If you don’t have room in your freezer you can put them in your fridge until Sunday.
How long do the loaves last before they need to be frozen? I just made my first 3 loaves on Thursday and my donation day is Sunday – 3 days away. Should I freeze them until Sunday?
Congratulations! We’ve not really put the freezing length to the test. So far the furthest out anyone has been is two weeks and they are still great. Also, so you know, the next donation Sunday, November 7th, just next week. The loaves will definitely be great.
Katherine
Congratulations! We’ve not really put the freezing length to the test. So far the furthest out anyone has been is two weeks and they are still great. Also, so you know, the next donation Sunday, November 7th, just next week. The loaves will definitely be great.
Katherine
Congratulations! We’ve not really put the freezing length to the test. So far the furthest out anyone has been is two weeks and they are still great. Also, so you know, the next donation Sunday, November 7th, just next week. The loaves will definitely be great.
Katherine
I made my VERY FIRST donation-worthy loaf today! It’s two weeks until the next donation, though. Can it stay in the freezer for that long?
I know all freezers are different, and not everyone has this issue but despite letting my loaves cool overnight before packaging, I was getting ice crystals in the plastic bags when freezing my loaves. So, I tried freezing my cooled loaves by wrapping them in a clean dishtowel and then in a paper bag. Once frozen I transferred to the CL plastic bag. (I read that tip on a FB post). That made a big difference – no more ice in the plastic bags!
Thanks Claire, that’s correct. You can donate the loaves frozen, they will thaw in transit.
Katherine
Drea, I don’t see a response to your inquiry about frozen loaves. No need to defrost them. Just take them out of the freezer, pop them into a paper bag with your name and deliver them to your hub.
Claire Parker, Olympia Westside CoordinatorThis is my first time donating and I have loaves in the freezer. Do I take them out to defrost the day before donation, or leave them frozen?
I agree Claire. Let’s use this space to help folks really dial into best freezing methods.
I’d like a discussion about freezing the bread in such a way as to eliminate the moisture. There has been some discussion but on Facebook.
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