Backpacker’s Pantry Celebrates 75 Years in the Wild

May 19, 2026

The company celebrates the miles, meals, and community that have been supporting them since 1951.

Boulder, Colo. (May 19, 2026) /OUTDOOR SPIRTSWIRE/ — Boulder, Colo.-based Backpacker’s Pantry, the family-owned maker of gourmet adventure meals, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. To commemorate the occasion, the company will launch a multi-channel heritage campaign called “Raised By the Wild,” which aims to engage the outdoor community in the celebration while enhancing its commitment to fueling people’s adventures.

“A lot has changed since 1951, but the reason people take our meals into the backcountry really hasn’t. They want food they can count on after a long day outside. Backpacker’s Pantry has always been built around that idea,” said Aidan Smith, CEO of Backpacker’s Pantry. “For 75 years, we’ve stayed focused on making satisfying meals for people spending real time outdoors, and we’re proud the brand has stayed true to what made people trust it in the first place.”

The Backpacker Pantry story begins in 1951 with Anne Benedict, a Girl Scout trip leader who came home from a grueling backpacking trip carrying a bag full of empty cans and convinced there had to be a smarter way to eat on the trail. She began experimenting in her garage with dehydrating food to reduce pack weight, and from those humble beginnings, Dri-Lite Foods took shape. Nearly two decades later, in 1970, an entrepreneur named Ron Smith stumbled upon Dri-Lite’s meals in a small Southern California ski shop and recognized untapped potential. By 1972, he had reimagined the brand entirely — renaming it Backpacker’s Pantry and introducing freeze-dried ingredients that would dramatically extend shelf life while improving the nutritional value of the meals. Read about the full history of the brand here.

Today, the Smith family legacy continues into a new generation. In 2025, Aidan Smith stepped into the role of CEO, working alongside his brother Talvin to help chart the company’s next chapter. Together, they carry forward the same entrepreneurial spirit their grandfather embodied when he first walked into Jonas’ Ski Chalet in Inglewood, California, more than 55 years ago.

To celebrate the “Raised by the Wild” anniversary campaign, catch the Backpacker’s Pantry team at Outside Days in Denver (May 29–31). Limited-edition anniversary merch, including a hoodie and t-shirt, will be available online, alongside special anniversary packaging.

To learn more and to stay in the loop about all of the company’s anniversary celebrations, please visit: backpackerspantry.com.

About Backpacker’s Pantry

Founded in 1951 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Backpacker’s Pantry produces freeze-dried meals for the outdoor market. The family-owned and operated company focuses on lightweight, easy-to-prepare meals designed for backpacking, camping, and outdoor adventure. Backpacker’s Pantry donates 1% of every sale to conservation and outdoor access nonprofits through 1% for the Planet and operates out of its 100% solar-powered facility in Boulder. The company also invests in sustainability initiatives and programs that support its employees, local community, and the outdoors. Today, Backpacker’s Pantry products are sold through more than 2,000 retail locations across North America, including outdoor specialty, sporting goods, and natural grocery retailers, as well as through Amazon and at backpackerspantry.com. For more information and a complete list of products, visit https://backpackerspantry.com.

About American Outdoor Products

American Outdoor Products (AOP) is a food manufacturer located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, CO. Established in 1951, American Outdoor Products remains an independent, privately held, family-owned and operated company distributing products throughout the world. Inspired by a passion for unique cuisine and exciting adventures, the company produces Backpacker’s Pantry, adventure food for the outdoors; Astronaut Foods, out-of-this-world novelty treats; and Colorado Spice, all-natural and organic artisan spice blends. To learn more, visit: https://backpackerspantry.com

Media Contacts:

Verde Brand Communications
backpackerspantry@verdepr.com