Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > MaryJanesFarm Backcountry Foods > Owner Review by Russell Curry

OWNER REVIEW
MARYJANESFARM
BACKCOUNTRY FOODS
September 16, 2005

OWNER INFORMATION:

Name:                   Russell Curry
Age:                       58
Gender:                 Male
Height:                  6' 0" (1.83 m)
Weight:                 190 lbs (86 kg)
Email:                   mrqcace@yahoo.com
City, State,
Country:                Orange, Texas, USA
  

BACKPACKING BACKGROUND:

My hiking experiences began in the 1960s.  My experiences include hikes in Europe, the Mediterranean, Canada, Alaska, and most Eastern and Western states in a variety of terrain. I hike in all seasons, in temperatures as low as 5 F (-15 C) to as high as 110 F (43 C), in rain, shine and snow and from desert to forest to mountain.  My pack weights vary from 25 lbs (11 kg) to 8 lbs (4 kg). I generally prefer an ultra-lightweight style of backpacking, but will base camp and car camp in the right conditions.

BACK COUNTRY FOODS:

Most of my hiking is done ultralight. I consider everything very carefully when packing, especially for trips lasting 5 days or more. I have come to rely on the "boil and dump" method of cooking when I will be backpacking between campsites every day. I don't mind making sacrifices in my food if it will lighten my load. I generally carry or have used at various times, most of the well known packaged back country food products on the market, Mountain House, Backpackers Pantry, MaryJanesFarm, etc. Occasionally I will carry a packaged rice dish that I actually have to cook, but since this requires a different cook set, I have to really justify this due to the added weight of the simmer pot.


PRODUCT INFORMATION:

Manufacturer:               MaryJanesFarm
URL of Manufacturer:   www.maryjanesfarm.org
Year of Manufacturer:   2005
MSRP:                          $5.10 for the Creamy Potato Soup, prices vary between packaged meals, these foods can also be bought in bulk
Weight:                         Varies between products, the Creamy Potato Soup illustrated weighed 2.2 oz (62 g) gross weight
Volume:                        Varies between selections
Packaged Size:              7 x 9 x 3/16 in deep at the thickest part (178 x 229 x 5 mm) for the prepackaged Creamy Potato Soup illustrated                 


PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

MaryJanesFarm products are "Certified Organic by the Idaho State Dept. of Agriculture". They are available in pre-packed form and are also available to be purchased in bulk. The prepackaged versions come in a pouch that is a "Non-Aluminum EcoPouch", (a brown paper pouch lined with a waterproof lining) and boiling water can be added directly to the contents of the pouch and then allowed to hydrate.  The pouch has a double fold in the bottom that allows it to be free standing when adding the water. There are dozens of meals as well as breads, breakfasts, desserts, drinks, food bars, ethnic meals, pasta meals, soups, raw foods, salsa, samplers and sauces along with fresh vegetables. I have used the Chilimac, Mac 'n Cheese, Organic Red Presto Pasta, Organic Santa Fe Pasta, Organic Sweet Bell Pepper Pasta, (especially tasty and one of my favorites), Nick's Organic Couch Potatoes, Organic Spuds w/Spinach & Cheese, (very nice tasting also) and a few lentil soups.  I also use and carry regularly the "Outrageous Outback Oatmeal" for breakfast.

 

FIELD PREPARATION:

Like similar prepackaged back country foods, the preparation is simply to boil the recommended amount of water, open the double fold on the package, pour in the water, stir, close and allow to hydrate for a few minutes. I have found in my experiences that the amount of water recommended and the amount of water that I like in my meals vary. I almost never add as much water as the directions suggest, and this is true for these products as well. MaryJanesFarm and I disagree somewhat over just how much water it takes to make my Creamy Potato Soup. I have found that generally speaking for the products from MaryJanesFarm, if I reduce the recommended amount of water by 25%, I am within my comfort level for the texture of the meal.

The pouches that I have used contain 1 1/2 servings, and I find them to be sufficient as a stand-alone meal, although I most always prepare two meals, one as the main entree and one as a side dish, so I may have a chilimac dinner along with a side dish of potato soup. I have found the hydration times recommended on the packages to be fairly accurate.  There are many additional items that can be purchased to complement my meal selection, sauces, salsa, bread, desserts and many more items. The selections at MaryJanesFarm are vast and allow for meal selections for everything from ultralight backpacking to multi-course meals for several people.
 
FIELD EXPERIENCES:

I have used products from MaryJanesFarm for many years and so far I have been happy with the ease of preparation, the taste and texture of the food, the varieties available, and the packaging. They go with me in all weather conditions, winter, summer, fall and spring. I have never purchased the foods in bulk. MaryJanesFarm does not provide cooking pouches for bulk purchases, so I would have to hydrate in my mess kit or other cooking pot. I find the packaging to be especially nice. As an ultralight hiker, the packaging serves more purposes than just containing the food and allowing me to add boiling water. The packages will burn in my campfire so I don't have to pack them out and deal with left over food smears or odors that attract wildlife. Additionally, using a pen or pencil I can write notes on the exterior of the pouches if needed.  I have used them in this way more than once, (the pouches are never discarded in the backcountry since they can be burned). I usually will always save the first opened package just for such a need, and then later burn it in my last campfire.  Like similar backcountry foods that I have used, I find that I need to carry and add my preferred spices to the entrees.  I have yet to have an incident where the pouches became wet before use, so I do not know how they would hold up to being soaked in a rainfall or disastrous river crossing.


LIKES:

Easy preparation
Taste and texture are good
Many varieties available and they can be purchased in bulk
Packaging can be burned or used for other purposes
All organic ingredients
Pouches are just the right size to pack and carry, no air trapped inside and will store well in my pack

DISLIKES:

I have to order online, but they are available at better hiking and backpacking stores

SUMMARY:

I never leave for a trip without a few of these in my pack

Reviews > Food > Packaged Meals > MaryJanesFarm Backcountry Foods > Owner Review by Russell Curry