I just did the freeze-dried food order for this summer’s expedition. While we are hoping to supplement our menu offerings with other items (fresh crab, anyone?), the reality of these trips is that food preparation is often simply a luxury that there isn’t time for. Freeze-dried food fills the belly in less time than anything else – always has – but I remember when freeze-dried food meant sticky salt cheese and crunchy noodles with cardboard pellets that were listed on the ingredients as “peas.”

Times change. We are thankful to add Backpacker’s Pantry to our list of expedition sponsors and, after eating their offerings for the past 15 years, I can honestly say that it is not just good freeze-dried food, it is good food, period. Chicken, salmon, beef and veggie… We’ll be taking enough to travel in style, all the while getting the nutrition we need to keep going. I’m already looking forward to the chicken vindaloo…