How much does a single serving package of a dehydrated dinner entree weigh for packing?
- Total carrying weight (including the rice, potato mix, or pasta accompaniment) varies amongst our deshydrated dinner menu items, and ranges from 125g – 155g per serving. Additonal items in serving suggestions (example: grated old cheddar for our Alberta Beef Chili) add extra weight, and enjoyment!
- Please visit our products page for serving size, dry weights and other valuable information in the Nutrition Facts table for each of our dehydrated dinner entree menu items.
What is the shelf life of your dehydrated dinners?
- Technically there is no expiry date for dehydrated foods in Canada. However, since we add no preservatives and we want our customers to enjoy the highest quality food product, we recommend that our dehydrated meals are best if consumed within 12 months of purchase, for the best flavour.
- Our dinners are also great for a quick meal at home, or in the office, should the best before date of your purchased dinners be approaching.
- While some freeze dried food companies advertise that their food will last for an impressive 25 years, we don’t think a can of food that old, can be classed as high quality flavourful food!
How quickly does the food take to re-hydrate?
- Time to re-hydrate in the field varies slightly between recipes, and can range further due to the wide range of cooking environments encountered while in the backcountry. But generally our dinner entrees re-hydrate within 15 minutes when a constant heat source is applied.
- To save fuel, add the water and package mix to a pot, cover and let stand to begin absorbing the water for up to an hour before heating and beginning your fuel burn.
- See this tip and learn others in the preparation instructions found with each dinner entree on our products page.
Are cooking instructions included with menus & the food items in the shop?
- All of our dehydrated meals come with detailed cooking instructions.
- Our full food program field pack-out is well labeled and includes all of the cooking and preparation instructions you will need to prepare and enjoy your food, and it comes with a complete manifest of your trip’s food.
For full food programs, is the food easy to sort in the field?
- We sort and label food very clearly for you.
- We remove unnecessary packaging which minimizes weight and reduces the garbage you need to deal with.
- Your manifest will contain the details for what is required to prepare each meal.
- We use a variety of package sizes and will vacuum seal certain products for maximum freshness.
What types of diets, allergies and intolerances have you managed in the past?
- For over four decades, we have managed everything from realatively simple food intolerances to very complex diets.
- Most allergies and intolerances (gluten, lactose, nut, egg, etc) are manageable for us if properly identified at the time you place your order.
- We recommend you make your own food arrangements if you have any serious allergic reaction to certain foods.
- A variety of common food allergens are used in our facility and although Chef is very careful with allergens in the kitchen, we cannot guarantee against cross-contamination.
- We will reiterate that anyone who has a serious or life-threatening allergy should be responsible for provisioning, packing and preparing their own food to guarantee their food safety while in the backcountry.
What allergens are used in your facility?
- We store and prepare all types of food at our facility including nuts, eggs, lactose, wheat, flour, sugar, and meats.
- If your diet restrictions are so serious that you cannot come in contact with any of these or other allergens, we recommend you prepare your own food.
- We would like to remind anyone with a serious allergic issue that food handling and storage in a backcountry setting can be complex and the only way to truly isolate your food from allergens is to have it packed, stored and prepared separately from any other food contact.
- Visit our Diets, Allergens & Intolerances page for more detail.
How many calories does each meal contain?
Our recipes are designed to deliver the calories and nutrition you need to replenish your body after and active day in the backcountry.
Total Calories vary between dinners, but on average contrain 550-600 calories per package (1 Serving). Each food item on our products page has total calorie counts and other important information in the Nutrition Facts table for each dehydrated dinner entree.
Explore tips on calorie planning for backcountry menus in our blog.
Your calorie planning page identifies a difference between aerobic and anaerobic activities. Can you give examples of what you consider anaerobic, aerobic, and heavy aerobic?
Aerobic Activity examples:
- Rock Climbing
- Ice Climbing
- Canoeing
- Fly Fishing
- Rafting
- Walking
Moderate Aerobic Activity examples:
- Moderate Hiking
- General Mountaineering
- Kayaking,
Examples of Anaerobic Activities:
- Ski Touring
- Ultra Marathons
- Big Alpine
- Route Climbing
- Steep Terrain Hiking
- Mountain Biking
- Activities with a heavy pack
If I order multiple servings of a single meal do they come packaged individually, or as a large serving?
You tell us how you want it!
We will assume you want individual servings unless you specify on your order that you want it packed in multiples.
Use the special notes for any additonal information about packaging your order.
More questions?
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