FOOD PLANNING AND PREPARATION
1) Basic Considerations
Type
of outing
Day
trip
Fresh
food / perishables - cold cuts, sandwich breads
Fresh
fruits & vegetables
Drive-in
car camp - Anything you want to carry in!
Weekend
backpacking
Food
weight – pack in / pack out;
Weight
of cookware items need to cook planned meals
Type
of foods / menu becomes more important in the planning stage
Long
term trek
Balanced
meals / food groups & menu variety become more important
Perishables
become an issue
menu
planning becomes very important
Time
of year / What season it is
Type
of food / menu you will have
Cold
weather = more hot soups, hot breakfasts & lunches
Destination
Mountains
Elevation
effects cooking time
Desert
Wind
and sand
Water
issues
Can
food could be an option as it has its own water / fluids
River
Number
of participants
Planning
for four or fourteen?
Weather
conditions
Rain,
wind, snow, hot weather forecasted?
R. Salcido – Oct 01
2) Menu planning
Balanced
nutrition
Remember
the basic food groups
Good
tasting
Use
spices, sauces
Ease
of preparation
Water
Availability
of drinking water?
Bring
your own
Filtering / boiling water
Economical
Shop
at other than your local supermarket! (See “Source of supply”)
Buy
in bulk / not individual packages
Package
your own meals i.e. own trail food mix; oatmeal with dried fruit or granola;
various types of pastas with an assortment of items
Adequate
quantities
“
Single portions “ for smaller scouts, consider double portions for big scouts
and adults for dinner menu
Plan
well to reduce leftovers / cleanup / waste to pack out
Menu
variety
Mix
up the menu, don’t have “same o same o” day after day & night
Option
: Frozen food first night
Eat
most perishable foods first – eat soft breads/bagels first part of trip not
last part
Likes,
dislikes; Food allergies & culture differences
Everyone
agrees on menu items?
Exceptions
needed for non-meat eaters? i.e. no pork for Indians
Anyone
have certain food allergies? – Need to ask!
3) Food purchases
Calculate
number of servings required – read the labels!
Estimate
cost per person
Source
of supply
Discount
stores: 99 cent stores; Pic N Save; Rite Aide; Savon Drugs; Food For Less.
Cruise the isles with an open mind – i.e. look for items you just have to add
water or minimal add ins. Note: inventory varies from store to store even with
the same chain!
Local
supermarkets; Note: different chains carry different items
Ethnic
stores – Latin, Asian, Indian stores
Offer
a variety of easy to make foods with English instructions
Chain
stores : Kmart; Target; Walmart; Costco
Specialty
stores
Trader
Joe’s – long lasting cased in cheeses; different beef sticks / rolls (salami);
trail food items; just add water items
Outdoor
/ military surplus stores – “ cheaper “ freeze dried foods
Sporting
Goods Stores, if money is not an issue, : REI, Sportmart,
Mail
order
R. Salcido – Oct 01
4) Food repackaging
Reduce
weight & litter
Create
less trash / items to pack out
Eliminate
glass / metal containers
Use
zip lock or seal-a-meal
Use
heavy duty freezer type i.e. use as boil in a bag meals
Cut
out cooking instructions & insert or write on the plastic bag
Group
menu items by meal
Breakfast,
lunch & dinner
5) Food preparation
Plan
cookware & utensils to match meals
What
size pot(s) needed? Frying pan needed? Spatula or large spoon?
Cook
in what? Propane stove or grill? Dutch oven(s)? Backpacking stove?
Provide
for adequate water & fuel
Drinking
water available where you plan to go? If not, bring enough to drink AND cook
AND wash with
Someone
brought the stove, who brought the fuel ?
Try
new foods & recipes at home first
Practice
cleanliness and sanitation first
Establish
& follow duty roster, plan out cooking & clean up duties
Meals
should be well cooked & appetizing
6)
Polishing-off
Follow
duty roster
Who
is in charge of cooking and cleaning during what meals?
Prepare
hot water for clean up during the meal
Scrape
& clean and rinse pots after use
Use
3 cycle wash: hot soapy water wash, cold water rinse, clean hot water rinse
Dispose
of all garbage properly
Use
designated trash cans / bins
Pack
out
Never
wash or rinse in streams or lakes
Leave
your campsite cleaner than you found it!