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SHOT Show 2026 put Foundation Outdoors in front of a wider audience, but the company is not new to freeze-dried food.
Based in Salt Lake City, Foundation has spent more than a decade in the freeze-dried industry as a large-scale co-manufacturer. The team reports producing more than one million meals for other brands before launching products under its own name.
Foundation Outdoors soft-launched its brand two years ago and pushed into retail distribution last summer. The company currently focuses on independent retailers, with placement in more than 40 stores across the West Coast and Midwest.
Made-in-USA With Clean Labels
Foundation Freeze-Dried Meals are made in the USA using quality ingredients cooked together in-house before freeze-drying. According to the company, this process helps preserve nutrition while supporting a clean-label approach.
USDA inspections are conducted daily at the facility, reinforcing oversight of production standards.
The brand emphasizes high protein content and strong calorie-to-weight ratios. That focus targets users who need performance-focused nutrition rather than basic sustenance. Foundation positions its meals for camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and general outdoor use.
Outdoor Meals vs. Survival Meals
Foundation Outdoors offers two primary product categories. The Foundation Outdoors meal line carries a stated 10-year shelf life and sells as individual meals for $13.95 each.
The Foundation Survival line extends shelf life to 25 years through different packaging and the use of oxygen absorbers. Survival meals are sold in seven-day boxes, with a listed retail price of $250. The meals inside are the same recipes and flavors found in the outdoor line.
High-Protein Snacks and Performance Nutrition
Beyond entrées, Foundation offers a growing lineup of snacks. The current catalog includes 15 meal options and four snack products. Cheese cubes stand out as a high-calorie option designed to fuel the most demanding adventures. One bag contains approximately 1,000 calories and 64 grams of protein.
Foundation frames its nutrition around performance. The stated goal is to fuel sustained output in the field rather than simple survival.
Packaging Designed for the Field
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Foundation Freeze-Dried Meals use bowl-shaped bags that stay open when unsealed. This design allows easier access and reduces mess during use. The packaging is PFAS-free and Prop 65 compliant.
Looking ahead, Foundation plans to expand further into high-performance snacks and premium treats, including barbecue chicken chips, teriyaki green bean bites, and additional cheese varieties. Lightweight construction and calorie efficiency remain central to every product in development.
Check out the Foundation website for a full list of products.
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Garrett has a wide variety of skills and interests. His profession as an engineer in the steel industry aligns with his active approach to hobbies. Whether going to the gym, shooting, hunting, riding his motorcycle, or just tinkering in the shop, Garrett always strives to be his best.
Experience:
Mechanical Engineer – Supervises a small group of reliability professionals who deliver practical solutions and keep the plant running.
Practical Shooting – Former member of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team, and continues to hold himself to a high standard in defensive shooting.
Adventurer – Hiking, moto camping, backpacking, hunting, shooting. Life is too short to take it easy. Garrett is always looking for the next opportunity to get outdoors.