For as long as I can remember, a passion for candy has run in through my veins. You could say that I am a second-generation candy man. My Grandfather was one of the original partners of Russell Stovers. He started his journey as a janitor pre-WW2 and worked his way up to become an executive. He was one of the original partners and his passion for chocolate and the confectionery business helped shape and inspire me.

When I was in third grade, I got into trouble over a candy-based business venture. I had convinced a friend to have his parents buy Airheads in bulk for me. Seriously, it was like 10 pounds of candy. My backpack was sagging under the weight, and I was definitely testing the tensile strength of those straps. When my mother discovered the stash, she was terrified that I might grow up to be a drug dealer. (As an adult, I can totally understand her concern.)

Needless to say, I was grounded, and my dream of being a candy-based businessman was temporarily shattered. That experience did however spark a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship. It set the stage for my future endeavors and ignited a passion in me that still drives me to this day.

My Freeze dry story begins in 2021, amidst the global pandemic (remember hunting for toilet paper? Yikes!). During this challenging time, my family faced an impressive series of additional tragedies. My son lost his mother, we were involved in a car accident with a semi-truck, we had many, many other unforeseen issues that arose (seriously you name it, we lived it), and, to add to our struggles, at the end of the year, my mother lost her battle with cancer. These events and the fallout from them turned our lives upside down and ultimately shaped our lives in immeasurable and irreversible ways.

I’ve always been a fan of the saying, “The strongest steel is made in the hottest fires.” The trials we endured put everything into perspective for us. My girlfriend, my son, and I spent the next couple of years piecing our lives back together. Through our journey we became incredibly close and unbelievable resilient.

In late 2022 I discovered Freeze drying. I became obsessed. I would spend hours researching and watching videos. I would spend my days thinking about what I would make and where I would put my machine. For the next year, I would often revisit the idea. One day in July 2024 I took the leap and have been loving every second of the journey ever since.

Through this process, my family and I have discovered a supportive community, new friends and, above all, a renewed sense of purpose. I started Arctic Eagle Freeze-Dried not only to provide for my family but also to give back to the community that supported us during our struggles. With every treat we create and every customer we serve, we strive to make a meaningful difference. Our goal is to grow our company into a success story that allows us to extend a helping hand to others facing their own challenges.

Thank you for being a part of my dream,

Blake Gerstenberger,

Founder of Arctic Eagle Freeze Dried LLC