Replies

I will vouch for Mountainhouse (freeze dried) meals...they are decent.

What we currently do is have a mix of these in storage, and they are consumed on trips we take and replaced:

1) MREs -- Pros: Don't need hydration, or even to be cooked, although chemical heaters are often provided (requires an ounce or two of liquid). Like to have a few of these for hot meal if for whatever reason cant make a fire or use stove, inside car etc. However, Cons: They do not taste good compared to other options (Best ones IMO: Asian Beef Strips, Chilimac, Au gratin potatoes). If travelling with them they are heavier to pack than freeze dried.

2) Freeze Dried Meals - I can vouch for Mountainhouse brand, another brand is Backpacker's Pantry. We never really had a bad Mountainhouse meal. Good ones are Chicken A-la-king, Beef stroganoff, Lasagna, Chilimac, Breakfast Skillet). Pros: Freeze Dried has the Longest shelf life of all options (up to 25 years, Mountainhouse has a "best by" of at least 12 years, Taste good - certainly better than MREs. Light to carry/pack. Individually portioned. Con: Requires water to hydrate (we also have a high capacity backpacking water filter and collapsible buckets). However, these meals could also be eaten dry if you had to, particularly the mountainhouse. The starches - like pasta noodles etc isn't to tough like regular dried pasta. You can consume them dry. I ate the "breakfast skillet" meal dry - was not bad.

3)Supermarket Grocery Items with a decent shelf-life: Rice, Pasta, Instant mashed Potatoes, Ramen Noodles, Dried Tortellini, Oatmeal, Cereal, dried soups/bouillon, bottled , powdered Milk, instant coffee, other instant beverage mixes, nondairy creamer, canned foods - sardines, beans, soups.

Another option is "Dehydrated Meals". Pro: usually taste great. Con: has short shelf life.

Other Companies: Last year I was looking into "good tasting freeze dried or dehydrated meals" and these names always popped up. I haven't checked them out. I bet the food is good, but pricey:
- Hawk's Vittles - Pack it Gourmet
- Good to GO
- Mary Jane's Farm
- Hungry Hiker
- Heater Meals