Why I Recommend AlpineAire Foods

At a time of considerable concern about the effects of current events and numerous potential catastrophic scenarios, many folks have been investing in shelf stable foods. I have written numerous posts at this site and at my blog Learn To Prepare on preparedness planning with an emphasis on food issues. Why not? - since I have been involved in preparedness foods for over 43 years - as a manufacturer, retailer, innovator, consultant, and teacher.

Here is valuable information about AlpineAire Foods. Which I highly recommend - and I should know - since I founded the company in 1979. Read about them, and if you are in the market for very high-quality food reserves or camping foods please give them your serious consideration - you will be pleased.

You may purchase the entire AlpineAire line at our product website PrepareDirect, and I am sincere when I invite you to call me personally if you have questions or comments. There is too much misinformation and blatant deception happening at this time in regards to food storage. I would be glad to share my experience with you - that's why I am doing what I do!

Why Choose AlpineAire Foods?

The following list summarizes 14 important points that distinguish AlpineAire Foods:

1. Experience and reliability since 1979.
2. Regarded as the finest Food Reserves available, that don't rely on nutritionally challenged white sugar and white flour, and whose food systems, canned products and pouched foods provide realistic and quality calories for proper nutrition.
3. Nutritious quality ingredients.
4. Facilities are federally inspected daily to ensure compliance with high standards. Food safety is taken seriously.
5. One of the largest established companies in the industry.
6. The largest selection of quality, completely blended meals and individual ingredients, available in special cans and foil pouches.
7. Specialists in Freeze-Dried and specially dehydrated products, and an extensive variety of "No Cooking Required" meals and Food Reserve units.
8. State-of-the-art technology and equipment in a new 80,000 sq. ft. facility.
9. In-house testing and quality control.
10. Real meat products are used in beef, chicken, and turkey meals.
11. Proven nutritional results by record-setting world class and extreme condition expeditions.
12. Chosen for use by government, military, firefighters, search and rescue, and demanding adventures.
13. Significant value for the cost.
14. A very large selection of assortments and Food Systems for a diversity of needs.

AlpineAire Foods (current parent company Katadyn, Inc.), has been a pioneer in the outdoor recreation and preparedness marketplace since 1975. These unique foods were first sold locally, in San Diego California, and then made available nationwide in 1979. AlpineAire is committed to providing outdoor adventurers and emergency planners with exceptional quality and nutritious shelf-stable foods, which have constantly been judged the superior brand of choice. Preferred by expeditions, rescue teams, extreme sports enthusiasts, and those who know that under demanding conditions the food they eat contributes to the caliber of their performance and the value of their experience.

Denis Korn, the founder of PrepareDirect, also founded AlpineAire Foods in 1979. AlpineAire is one of the very few recreational and emergency shelf stable food manufacturing establishments to be federally inspected to comply with the strictest USDA standards for truthfulness in labeling, ingredient conformity, wholesomeness, and cleanliness.

Besides the availability of a wide selection of over 53 entrees, snacks, and individual items in foil pouches, and over 74 items in shelf stable cans, USDA inspection allows AlpineAire to utilize real meat products in many of their complete meal recipes and individual product offerings. Most of their foods are free of artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. AlpineAire produces both a canned line of dried shelf stable foods called Gourmet Reserves and a line of products packaged in poly-coated, heavy-duty foil pouches. In 1997 AlpineAire introduced their "Quick Zip" resealable pouch for the added convenience of preparation.

Since the founding of AlpineAire, three vital factors have been the cornerstones of product development - nutrition, convenience, and taste. Serving sizes that are realistic, flavors that are satisfying, a source of sustaining energy, ease of preparation, and value you can trust. AlpineAire uses a variety of quality non-perishable ingredients in its formulations. These ingredients are the result of the latest developments in food technology and are designed to ensure shelf stability, foods that reconstitute back to their original characteristics, nutritional value, and convenient preparation.

Few if any food reserve manufacturers can match the proven success of AlpineAire's experience in exclusively feeding and sustaining people for a very long term with verified results! Here are examples of just a few recent expeditions and adventures:

• The 35^th Anniversary Assault of Mt. Everest.
• Kevin Foster's bike trek across the Great Wall of China.
• Official sponsor for Eco-Challenge both in SE Utah and Vancouver, Canada.
• Brad Van Liew used AlpineAire Foods in his "Around Alone" single-handed 50' sailboat race around the world, winning each leg as well as the overall race in 2002/2003.

Comments since the introduction of AlpineAire Foods include:

"AlpineAire is the epitome of natural, healthy backpacking food." "...the result is better taste and healthier eating. Our tasters ranked AlpineAire tops ..." Backpacker Magazine

"The leader in producing foods that are reasonably priced, meet the taste test, and supply nutritional needs is AlpineAire." "AlpineAire is the standout in the freeze-dried field, with tasty meals, realistic serving sizes, no additives, and intelligent packaging..." "Some of the most satisfying meals in our test came from AlpineAire." Outside Magazine

"Nothing is a better end to a long day on the trail than a fine meal, and fine is the word for AlpineAire's offerings. They are rated throughout the industry and by SOG as Numero Uno for taste in outdoor meals." Serious Outdoor Gear

"I am writing on behalf of the men and women in our squadron who are working in the Middle East for the Desert Storm Operation. The people in our unit are aircraft mechanics and they are keeping planes flying 24 hours a day... I am writing you because your camping meals are the finest I have ever eaten." Robert A. Kowal, Lt. Col.

"We think AlpineAire freeze-dried/dehydrated foods are the most substantial and best tasting of any we've had. Their servings are the most generous and are balanced for good health. That's very important to us as we plan to live on it for the next 2 1/2 years. We are continually reminded and always aware that AlpineAire has been a Godsent for this expedition... AlpineAire's healthy, wholesome and nutritious food has been our mainstay through North and South America." Verlen & Valery Kruger - Two Continent Canoe Expedition - 21,000 Mile Voyage of Discovery

"The highest quality, best tasting freeze dried foods we have tried. Well seasoned. Made in the USA. Each entree feeds about 2 adults." L.L. Bean Catalog

"AlpineAire recreational foods, the pick of the freeze-dried crop... give AlpineAire a try. We think you'll agree these freeze-dried foods are everything they're claimed to be." Boy Scouts of America Catalog

"Your products present the palate with the sumptuous tastes one has come to expect from AlpineAire. The stews, the chili, and the soups - not to forget the essential maple syrup granules -were each terrific. If food tastes good at 17,000 feet and above - you know it's high quality. After three separate Everest expeditions since 1985, I know where to turn for lightweight quality meals and ingredients: AlpineAire." Ed Webster

"After 55 days eating AlpineAire Foods I thought I'd let you know they still taste excellent." Chris Townsend - Editor 'Footprints' Great Britain

We discovered AlpineAire Foods early on in our Adventure Racing days (Eco-Challenge era). When you’re out there racing for nearly a week straight and you don't have the luxury of having a support crew waiting at the transition areas with hot meals cooked in your RV, you really learn how valuable AlpineAire Foods hot meals truly are! Nothing like quickly preparing a hot meal of Black Bart Chili, Chicken Gumbo or Hurry Curry Chicken while your competitors are over chewing on stale dry energy bars. A hot meal in the middle of a mountain blizzard can be just what the doctor ordered to bolster up the energy to head out on a 15-hour trek over a half dozen mountain passes. If you haven't tried AlpineAire Foods freeze-dried instant meals, you're miles behind your competition!

Mike Kloser - Team Nike
Professional Adventure Racer

I am proud to announce my newest sponsor AlpineAire Foods, which for those of you who don’t know, offer the most innovative, healthy & delicious camping food on the market. I mean they have been around forever feeding starving adventurers like myself since the 70’s. My empty belly and nose is what led me to their booth at the trade show. What I found there was tantalizingly delicious and nutritious. From Shrimp Alfredo to Hurry Curry Chicken, desserts, breakfast, soups, you name it these guys make it all.

Isaac Ezekiel Caldiero
Professional Climber

I can't believe it's been almost 10 years since I started the sport of adventure racing, and Alpine Aire Foods has been there every step of the way. As you know, the food we take into races has to meet criteria just as challenging as the events themselves. Alpine Aire has provided us with meals that have been quick and easy to prepare in any environment (from the desert sands to the triple canopy jungles to the high mountain peaks) and with no flavor fatigue!

As the sport grew, so did your accommodating product line that provides us the great tasting energy we need at the spur of the moment. (When you've been awake for three or four days straight, running, cycling, paddling, climbing, you really look forward to a hot instant meal instead of sugar shots and bars.)


All my best,

Cathy Sassin
Bend, OR

Ultra-light expeditions require ultra-lightweight yet filling and nutritious meals. AlpineAire Foods fits the bill every time. I've been using AlpineAire Foods exclusively for eight years and it never falls short of any expectation. Nothing ends a long day like a filling, tasty meal. AlpineAire Foods never fails to satisfy.

Ed Nolan
Placer County Sheriff Mountain Rescue Team

I don't think I've spoken to you since our race in Chile in late February. We won by 17 hours. AlpineAire Foods was a Huuuuuuge hit -- especially when it was the only food that any team had AT ALL during our 12 hour hostage crisis at check point #14 with no food/gear. I had to split my coveted Brown Rice & Chicken entree with 16 drooling South Americans who gobbled their one spoonful each like it was the best meal they'd EVER had. Then they all passed the foil pouch around to try to find out what this manna from heaven was and talked about the incredible flavor for about an hour.
Thanks again for the killer chow....

Robyn Bennincasa
World Champion Eco-Challenge Competitor

I have now spent nearly two years surviving in rugged environments while eating AlpineAire Foods, and still enjoy them.
Thanks for all the support.


Brad Van Liew
Freedom America

During the early fall of 2007, we assembled a team of scientists, journalists and professional kayakers to attempt the first exploratory kayak mission on the island of New Britain, Papua New Guinea. This effort required weeks of hiking through dense, steep, wet jungle and five days of travel by whitewater kayak through difficult whitewater and steep gorges. Packing for this trip and ensuring that we had the appropriate food to fuel our bodies was a daunting task and one that needed to be planned very carefully.

The staple foods of Papua New Guinea are taro, caucau and sinapore, root vegetables that are extremely bland and offer very limited nutritional value. For protein, the local people depend on wild and domesticated pig, both of which carry a harmful (to us) bacterial called trichinosis. Our AlpineAire Foods freeze-dried meals though, were a lightweight, nutritious solution to our food worries. They are lightweight, compact and durable enough to be packed in our kayaks. We were burning thousands of calories a day as we hiked and paddled eight hours a day for weeks on end, hardly able to wait until the end of the day when we could devour a hot meal.


Our personal favorites were Blueberry Honey Granola with Milk, Chicken Almond Salad with Crackers, Mountain Chili and Chocolate Mud Slide.

Trip Jennings
Professional Kayaker / Adventurer
Epicocity Project

Leonardo da Fettuccine is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

When it came to our attention that members of the NASA Shuttle program were requesting Leonardo da Fettuccine as a part of the menu on their flights what were we to do? We donated it of course!

The Staff at
AlpineAire Foods