What are the pros and cons of pouch packaging?

Convenience

Pouch packaging is probably the most convenient form of long term storage food packaging. Pouches require less gear than other types of survival food packaging which means less you'll have to carry if you need to move. Unlike #10 cans, pouches do not require a tool to open, just tear the top off the package. Additionally, no special equipment, cooking vessels, or serving vessels are required for preparing the food. Simply add hot (or not) water directly to the pouch, reseal the zip top, and wait 8-10 minutes for the food to reconstitute and heat. Then enjoy your meal straight out of the bag. No cleanup, no dirty dishes, no hassle. 

Less Waste

Less wasted food is always a plus when long term survival food is involved. Oxygen, light, and moisture are the enemies of freeze dried food. The less you expose your food to these elements, the longer your survival food supply will last. Pouch packaged freeze dried foods are available in smaller quantities than #10 cans meaning you'll waste less. Since pouches are made up of either individual servings, two servings, or four servings, you only have to open what you need to eat right away so you aren't exposing the rest of your supply to oxygen and light that will shorten its shelf life. 

Pouches also decrease the volume of garbage waste you'll have to deal with. Once empty, the pouches can be rinsed, flattened, and folded taking up very little space. The resealable pouches (like those offered by Mountain House) can even be reused as garbage bags or to store uneaten portions of food for later, or to reconstitute and heat other survival foods that were not packaged in pouches. 

Easy To Prepare

As mentioned above, pouch food is the easiest and most convenient to prepare. All you need is your pouch of food and water... and ideally a way to heat your water. The water is added directly to the stand-up alone pouch and once the food is ready you eat right from the pouch as well. This makes preparation and clean up a breeze. 

Compact & Portable

Because pouches are vacuum packed, they are incredibly compact and pretty darn durable. Not quite as durable as a #10 can, for example, but they are watertight and can be tossed into a backpack without any concern that they'll break open. They also do not expand at all regardless of altitude. Pouch freeze dried food is a good choice as an emergency food and/or for long term food supply for all the same reasons backpackers choose freeze dried food pouches. Their small and lightweight nature means you can easily take them with you anywhere you need to go. This makes them ideal for emergency car kits as well as part of your in-house food storage plan - you never know when you'll need to bug out and you won't want to try to carry #10 cans in your BoB!