In 1951, an ill-fated trip involving heavy canned foods, a long mountain trek and a group of increasingly demoralized Girl Scouts forever altered the course of what was thought possible in outdoor dining. Fast-forward twenty years, when this small outdoor company was purchased by Ronald Smith. With the help of a small but dedicated team, Ronald transformed the Girl Scouts' inspired idea into one of the world’s foremost producers of freeze-dried meals.

Backpacker's Pantry was now an independent, privately-held, family-owned and operated company. Later, Ronald Smith’s son, Rodney, inherited the company and took over ownership. Now, Rodney and his wife Soraya, who serves as the in-house product development chef, work together with their team of enthusiastic staff to bring the company to full potential, as a powerful force in the outdoor industry as well as renewable energy and innovative agriculture realms.

While keeping true to our roots, Backpacker's Pantry's parent company, American Outdoor Products, has now come to include five different, but equally bold brands that continue to promote adventure and foster good health. Backpacker's Pantry, Mountain Standard Foods, Astronaut Foods, Colorado Spice and Chef Soraya Eat-A-Bowl each encapsulate a different aspect of our ever-expanding vision.

Used worldwide by backpackers, sailors, extreme athletes, explorers, the military, hunters, campers, vegans and even the US Ski Team, Backpacker’s Pantry brings inspired cuisine to the furthest reaches of our planet, while doing everything it can to protect it.

HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Always seeking improvement, Backpacker’s Pantry continues to push the envelope. Our deep commitment to environmental sustainability and high quality ingredients is a way of life that demands constant evolution, exploration and adaptation.