Why Preserving Family Recipes Matters“A recipe is never really just a recipe,” says Rachel. Preserving family recipes is the best way to record and pass down family traditions, cultural customs and unforgettable flavors. Establishes Family TraditionsValerie Frey, family recipe archivist and author of Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebrate Your Food Traditions, notes that preserving family recipes is oftentimes more than just cataloging good food. We also spoke to Valerie Frey, family recipe archivist and author of Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebrate Your Food Traditions. Valerie Frey, family recipe archivist and author of Preserving Family Recipes: How to Save and Celebrate Your Food Traditions, likes using recipe card boxes as heirloom recipe storage.