Food Talk - Links to Food Related Websites

by Jen Schaeffer

Hello all, as promised I compiled a list of links to food-related websites. This list is by no means meant to be comprehensive and I have not personally tried out products from all these sites. I'd like to keep adding items to this list - so if you see something missing here, please email me. Also, if anyone would like this list emailed to them for the links, please email me at sprout896@hotmail.com and I'll send it to you. This article will be posted on ALDHA-West's website as well.

The list below contains a brief description of the website and any recommendations or comments I received about the site. The links are in no particular order. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this list. Good luck and happy trail eating!

United Foods: www.unfi.com. This organization is the biggest wholesaler of natural and organic food and personal care products in the US. Nearly everything that you see in your local natural food store is available through these folks. I used them to buy cases of items at "buyer's club" prices, which are essentially what the prices are when items are on sale at your local natural health food store or at places like Trader Joes. The catch is that often (but not always!) you order by the case, there are minimum orders quantities (in $$), and they don't necessarily deliver everywhere. You can pick up at their local warehouse (if you live close to one) or they will drop off at your house - the minimum orders vary accordingly. If you want more information, contact me directly - I bought large quantities of non-perishables like pastas, dried fruit, and such from them.

Walton Feed Company: www.waltonfeed.com. A very large selection of foods. Good product quality and product price but a little slow on shipping. If you can do a group purchase, they are unbeatable. They often are the company who supplies the other companies.

WildernessDining.com: www.wildernessdining.com. An all-purpose, bit-of-everything hiker's food page. From the owner: "[many items] in large quantity bulk, I carry mainly freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, but am looking to expand in that area by summer. I also carry many dried ingredients in smaller quantities (butter powder, whole milk, TVP, soy protein, organic maple granules, beef, chicken, turkey)."

Enertia Trail Foods: www.trailfoods.com. Lots of interesting products by the ounce, or ready meals. See reviews at www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Food/

Just Tomatoes, etc! www.justtomatoes.com.The very popular "Just _________" (fill in the blank) line of dried berries, fruits, vegetables and other products.

Blackbird Food Company: www.blackbirdfood.com. Dried veggies and fruit that looks similar to the "Just ___" line.

Fantastic Foods: www.fantasticfoods.com. A popular maker of soups, hummus, and the like. Available at most natural food stores.

Great Eastern Sun: www.great-eastern-sun.com. Oriental foods including dried tofu.

Loma Linda Market: www.lomalindamarket.com. Lots of bulk type products found at natural health food stores - fruits, cereals, etc.

Pack-Lite Foods: http://www.packlitefoods.com/index.html. Lots of unique one-pot meals. See a review at www.backpacking.net.

Internet Grocer: www.internet-grocer.com. Lots of bulk dehydrated basics including dairy products.

Adventure Foods: www.adventurefoods.com. Popular backpacking meals; they sell some items by the pound.

LDP Camping Foods: www.ldpcampingfoods.com. This group offers lots of the name brand dehydrated meals for sale as well as bulk dried veggies.

Cache Lake: www.cachelake.com. Some unique items like salads, breads, meats, and other items. See reviews at www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Food/

Sister's Farm: www.sistersfarm.com. Dehydrated veggies and a few items. Looks to be high quality.

Mama's EZ Foods: www.ezfoods.net. Offer a large selection of Kosher, vegetarian, and vegan products in various sizes.

Chaumont: www.jfchaumont.com/frame.htm Some unique dried vegetables and other products - not a clear site on quantities or ordering.

Lumen Foods/Heartline Products: www.lumenfds.com. Lumen foods offers many varieties of meat alternatives.

Custom Dried Foods: www.customdriedfoods.com. All powdered items, unique: cheeses, other dairy products, avocado. However, it appears that they only sell in 50# bags.

Expedition Foods: www.expeditionfoods.com. Some unique, meant for serious expeditions. A UK site, but it appears that you can order from anywhere. Also have water purification items and other hiking related gear.

Living Tree Community: www.livingtreecommunity.com. A variety of organic dried nuts, fruits, and nut butters. Offer in different quantities.

Vegetarian Journal Hiking Foods: www.vrg.org/journal/vj2001may/2001maybackpack.htm. An article on the Vegetarian Journal page specifically about hiking and camping foods. Lists many options and specific products to try out.

Harvest Foods: www.harvest.on.ca. Canadian company with many freeze dried and dehydrated meals.

Taste Adventures: www.tasteadventure.com. The ever popular makers of dehydrated beans, soups, and the like. Available at many natural foods stores.

Oregon Spice: www.oregonspice.com. All kinds of dried spices and the like. Retail store in Portland, Oregon. Rave reviews from submitter.

General Links: www.geocities.com/Yosemite/1140/supplies.html. This page is nothing but links to other sites for all kinds of backpacking stuff. If you page down you'll find food specific items.