Heather's Choice

08/28/2024

BIG NEWS📣 We're giving our community the chance to own a piece of Heather's Choice!!

Our first round of crowdfunding is LIVE on WeFunder! With you're help we've already hit our first goal of $50k (Yahoo!), with an ultimate goal of $1.2 million, there is still time to invest.

Your participation in this community round will help us make more quick, convenient, healthy meals to keep up with market demand!

We're so excited to have you on this journey with us to build a world-class brand, with world-class products, serving a global market of adventure seekers just like you.

If you've already invested, please like, comment, share, and shout it from the rooftops why you love Heather's Choice! Your support means the world to us.

Visit the link below to learn more and become an investor 💰

https://wefunder.com/heatherschoice

08/27/2024

What we love about Packaroons feat. all the farm animals 🐓🐕🤪

What’s your favorite thing about Packaroons?

Packability?
Calories to ounce ratio?
Taste?
Ingredients?

Tell us in the comments!

Send a message to learn more

08/26/2024

Did you catch the first episode of Wherever You May Roam?!

In tandem with the launch of our campaign, we’re bringing you interviews with our fellow entrepreneurs on the brand spanking new Heather’s Choice Podcast 🎉🎙️💃🏻

Get a peek behind the curtain of how your favorite brand got their start, how they navigate the really hard stuff, and what it takes to grow and scale 🚀

Find Wherever You May Roam on Spotify and YouTube 🎧👩🏻‍💻

Ready to become an investor in Heather’s Choice and join us on the adventure? Learn more at wefunder.com/heatherschoice 💰

Send a message to learn more

08/25/2024

Too many tomatoes? Swimming in zucchini? Itching to make jerky?

See which dehydrator you should add to your kitchen line up this fall and start playing with food 💃🏻

We spent many hours drying 168 pounds of meat and produce to find the most even, efficient dehydrator. Read on to find out which one we recommend.

08/22/2024

Welcome to Wherever You May Roam, a podcast hosted by Heather's Choice!

In this first episode, we sit down with our friend and fellow entrepreneur, Jen Loofbourrow from Alpine Fit. Heather and Jen share how their businesses got started, how they funded them, and the challenges of managing cash flow when your business really starts to take off! Catch the full episode on Spotify or YouTube. You can find links in the comments!

We hope you love this new interview series! Stay tuned for more episodes with founders from your favorite outdoor brands and beyond!

ICYMI Heather's Choice is now live on WeFunder! You can become an investor for as little as $100 and join us on the adventure.

08/17/2024

Heather’s Choice is a line of packable provisions on a mission to feed people good food whenever and wherever they need it; whether that is racing out the front door or climbing the tallest peaks in the world.

Founded in 2014 by a certified nutritionist and adventure athlete, Heather’s Choice is a nationally distributed brand that is currently expanding from the outdoor market into the natural foods channel and beyond!

Heather’s Choice recently launched their Community Round on ! For as little as $100, you can become an investor and join the adventure 💸

Click the link in our bio to learn more 🔗

08/16/2024

Heather's Choice is LIVE on WeFunder!

For as little as $100 you can become an investor in Heather's Choice and support our mission of feeding people good food whenever + wherever they need it!

https://wefunder.com/heatherschoice

We're stoked to have you join us on the adventure!

08/15/2024

⭐️Thru-Hiking Giveaway⭐️

In celebration of , we're hosting an epic thru-hiking giveaway with a prize pack valued at over $1,500! Featuring top outdoor brands like Heather's Choice , Trail Butter , ZENBIVY , Alpine Fit , Cnoc Outdoors , and Diorite Gear, this giveaway is the perfect opportunity to gear up for your next adventure.

Enter To Win:
⛺Trail Butter: (2) Variety 12-Packs of Lil Squeeze nut butter blends, (3) Lil Crunch 12-Packs
⛺Heather's Choice: Sampler pack including Breakfasts, Meals, and Packaroons
⛺Alpine Fit: Rendezvous Ridge Long Sleeve, Solstice Hat, and Merino Wool Geo Neck Gaiter
⛺Zenbivy: Zenbivy 25° Light Bed (Quilt + Sheet)
⛺Cnoc Outdoors: (1) VectoX water container, (1) Vesica collapsible bottle
⛺Diorite Gear: (1) Pair of trekking poles

Check out the link below to learn more and enter!

https://www.trailbutter.com/pages/giveaway?_kx=o96OIrG63Aw6oxiZdaxejZkMXERbYC41fUqxYnM0jHY.VuWRCr

08/13/2024

Ten years ago I was hiking in the Chugach Mountains talking about starting a little business called Heather's Choice.

With my trusty day pack, hanky, and a pair of trail runners, anything felt possible. I was going to make dehydrated meals and snacks for my fellow backcountry athletes...and it was going to be FUN!

Here we are now, a decade later, and I cannot believe all that has happened 🤯

I've launched websites...
I've raised money on Kickstarter...
I've made hundreds of thousands of Packaroons!
I've sold literal millions of dollars worth of dehydrated meals 😲
I've won pitch events...
I've raised capital from angel investors...
I've signed my name on hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of loans...
I've shipped countless pallets of products to retailers like REI...
I've hired and fired people...
I've cried a river's worth of tears...
I've celebrated a million little milestones...
..and so much more!

On Thursday, August 15th, we're announcing a SUPER cool opportunity for folks to join us for the next ten years of adventure.

It will be an epic journey, just like the first ten years, and I am STOKED to bring you all along for the ride.

Stay tuned! 💫

08/05/2024

Get ready to keep the summer spirit alive with the IT’S STILL SUMMER GIVEAWAY presented by .co , , and 🏕️

We’re connecting with 26 stellar outdoor brands to bring you a giveaway like no other. Trust us, you do not want to miss this one.

With over $15,000 worth of outdoor gear and goodies, including ultralight essentials and cozy campsite luxuries to make your adventures that much more memorable.

To learn more and enter to be one of ten winners, visit the link in our bio or check out .co's page!

Giveaway closes Monday, 8/19.

08/03/2024

Snacks? Hydration? Plenty of protein? Recovery? If it’s good enough for Olympians, it’s good enough for us!

https://www.eatingwell.com/i-interviewed-10-olympians-and-here-are-5-healthy-habits-they-do-every-day-8681429?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=66ad61727a659e0001d0c7d6&utm_campaign=eatingwell&utm_content=manualphoto&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3dNyUv4zQcj8PPD-NI4imWC-htutlORjnn8THI9AGYquCPoVrH3gbHoIw_aem_g44XLnFeQB8P3XyZWN6q_w

Star athletes, including Katie Ledecky, Sha’Carri Richardson and Coco Gauff, share the healthy habits that will help them succeed at the Olympics.

08/03/2024

“I have to eat 100% gluten free and the Morning Glory Oatmeal is really good GF food!

I’ve had my share of not so tasty GF food, I’m happy to say that all of Heathers Choice meals are over the top delicious.”

Did you know the entire Heather’s Choice adventure menu is ? Find all of our meals and snacks a retailer near you. Link is in our bio 💋

07/16/2024

The kitchen crew is buzzing this week as we are knee-deep in a sea of spinach, which can only mean one thing...

It's Spinach Curry with Chicken & Rice week👏🏼

This dish is hands down the staff pick for any time of year. Even customers like yourself can't get enough.

"I felt like I was eating this from my favorite Indian take-out restaurant."

Now that's some high praise!

You may have noticed our current 6-8 week lead time. We understand it's a bit of a wait, but trust us, it's worth it!

In the meantime, why not find us at a location near you? We just might be closer than you think.

Head to our store locator to see where you can grab your favorites for spontaneous summer adventures.

07/11/2024

Heather here 👋

It feels like it's been a little while since I showed up on the internet, so here I am! I wanted to say hi and give you a quick update on our business. If you're an entrepreneur or small business enthusiast, you will likely find this interesting :)

In the last six months, our business has grown more than 70% year over year (yowza!). If you know anything about scaling a food brand, you likely know, this is WILD...and stressful! As everyone likes to remind me, "Having more business than you can keep up with is a good problem to have!"

Regardless, keeping up with demand is still a problem, and it feels no less challenging than other problems I've had as a business owner.

Here in Anchorage, our small team of ten is prepping, cooking, dehydrating, packaging and shipping meals and Packaroons every day of the week. It is a lot, but we have to make hay while the sun is shining! Did I mention that we are hiring?!?!

You may have an order from us that you are waiting to receive, or you might be thinking about placing an order on our website, and I want to give you a quick heads up...our six to eight week lead time is REAL! I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I kid you not, we are booked out for all of July and most of August! Again, good problems to have, right?

As I take a step back and reflect on the business that has taken me ten years to build (that's right, our business birthday is August 15th so mark you calendars) I can't help by be blown away by the demand we've created.

What I once thought was a side hustle for me to make dehydrated food for my dirtbag friends here in Alaska has turned into so much more. No kidding, our laundry guy the other day said to me, "Hey! I eat Heather's Choice Grass-Fed Bison Chili for lunch and it keeps me full all afternoon! It's awesome!"

And then, Brad and I were having beers after work at a local brewery and a gal stopped us to say, "Are you Heather?! I buy Packaroons all the time! I love them!"

These interactions never cease to blow my mind! Do these people know I started this business out of the back of my pick up truck in 2014 at 26 years old with absolutely no knowledge of how to build a food business? Probably not...

All of this is to say, if you are here on the adventure with us, or you're patiently waiting to receive your order, or you've bought Heather's Choice for the last decade, or you pick up a Packaroon every time you swing into REI, then I owe you a big fat, "THANK YOU!"

My entrepreneurial journey has been nothing short of an epic saga, and I'm grateful everyday that someone like you chooses to support our small business. It humbles and amazes me to no end.
I hope your summer is jam packed with time spent in the great outdoors, and that you're enjoying this busy season to the max!

Love,

Heather

P.S. For our ten year business birthday celebrations, we are going to be announcing a way for you to get involved with Heather's Choice on a whole new level! Stay tuned for more details to come, but to say I'm STOKED to share this opportunity with you would be an understatement ;) That's your tease for the day, more details to come! Gotta get back in the kitchen...

07/04/2024

What should I eat?!

It's that time of year when we're all doing our best to plan as many backpacking, camping, hiking, etc... trips as possible. While the gear we choose to pack is important, the way we choose to fuel our bodies can be the difference between a great trip and one that takes a turn for the worst.

Here are a few tips we try to follow when packing for a trip:

📝Know your caloric baseline
💪🏼Strive to eat enough protein
🥑Eat quality fats
🥯Mind your carbohydrates
🫚Get some digestive support

To read more and learn ways to put these tips into action, check out our journal entry, Five Ways to Improve Your Backcountry Nutrition.

https://www.heatherschoice.com/blogs/journal/five-ways-to-improve-your-backcountry-nutrition

Better yet, learn how to implement these five tweaks into your daily life and notice a difference in your energy, mood, and performance right away!

If Heather's Choice products fit into your backcountry meal planning, check out our store locator to shop with our trusted retail partners.

06/27/2024

Every year around the Summer Solstice, the Heather's Choice team clocks out of work early on a Friday to spend the weekend camping. It's in-tents... pun intended.

This year, we drove north towards Wolverine Lake arriving Friday afternoon, picked our tent spots, and wasted no time diving into weekend activities.

With perfect weather, 70° and sunny, the paddle boards, canoes, and packrafts were on the lake in no time.

After a late night around the fire, we all emerged from our tents the next morning to fresh coffee and a "Choose Your Own Adventure" day. Some headed straight for the water, others canoed across the lake and set out for a seven-mile hike, while the rest opted for naps on the dock.

As a food company, you can imagine we are serious about what we eat. This camping trip was no different. Dinner included brisket, collard greens, corn on the cob, and of course, dutch oven peach cobbler. No details were spared (see photo of overflowing shopping cart...).

The final morning greeted us with another full day of sunshine, more coffee, and a leisurely pack out. Sunday brunch included a spread of blueberry pancakes, eggs, sausage, the works!

This annual camping trip always proves to be more than just a getaway - it's a time for us to disconnect from reality, recharge, and celebrate some major accomplishments from the first half of the year. This trip was no different.

While the team was checked out for the weekend, we celebrated the first re-air of our Shark Tank episode.

Leading up to this we spent the previous week ensuring our website was in tip-top shape and made plans for pre-orders, knowing this time of year is our busiest season.

We returned to civilization with renewed energy, a bit sun-kissed, and with plenty of shared experiences to tell for years to come.

Here's to another successful Solstice Retreat. We're already looking forward to next year's.

Love,
Heather

P.S. Be sure to pre-order your favorite Shark Tank Sampler. By pre-ordering you'll guarantee every meal will be as fresh as possible!

06/20/2024

Shark Tank Round 2!

We have some super exciting news to share!

We're making another splash on Shark Tank this Saturday, June 22nd @ 8 pm ET/PT! If you missed our swim with the sharks the first time, we'd love for you to tune in and watch us this time around. Trust us, it's a juicy episode that's worth a watch!

Our team is pumped for the opportunity to live through "The Shark Tank Effect" for a second time. With this re-air, we expect a lot of buzz and another HUGE wave of orders. It's time to stock up the fridge with shift beers!

All that to say... if you've been craving some of our world-famous Grass-Fed Bison Chili or need a snack for all your summer adventures, now's the time to stock up!

Starting Friday afternoon, our website will look a little bit different; we will only be offering a select handful of products via preorder.

We will get back to business as usual after the weekend, but we are doing our best to set expectations for everyone; samplers ordered from our website over the weekend will likely have a long lead time.

If you need anything for your summer trips, be sure to get your orders in ASAP! We wouldn't want you to miss your favorites because of the Shark Tank rush!

As always, thank you for your unwavering support and for being part of this wild ride (emphasis on the wild)!

Love,

Heather

P.S. If you don't see what you're looking for on our website, be sure to visit one of our trusted retail partners to grab your favorites.

https://www.heatherschoice.com/pages/storelocator

06/18/2024

BACK IN STOCK | Packaroon Variety Packs

After a long-awaited arrival, Packaroon Variety Packs are back in stock!

These packs are the perfect way to sample all our best-selling flavors, making it easy to find your favorite.

Whether you're new to Packaroons or just can't decide which flavor to try first, our Variety Packs have got you covered. Grab yours while they're still hot and enjoy the delicious diversity of Packaroons!

Happy snacking 🍪

https://www.heatherschoice.com/products/packaroons-sampler-box

06/12/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "These are just downright good. It's as good as the oatmeal I could possibly prepare at home with a full cabinet of additives and spices. It's my favorite breakfast product. And was love at first bite."

This oatmeal brings to mind the coziest breakfast nook you've ever enjoyed. It's our take on a classic baked good, zucchini bread!😍

The gluten-free rolled oats are large and wholesome. The walnuts, chia seeds, and dried zucchini add a delightful crunch, while the raisins give you something fruity to chew on. Throw in a dash of cinnamon, and your morning is off to the perfect start!

Head to the website to grab a fresh batch and be ready for any summer adventures or busy mornings.

06/06/2024

"Heather's going to need a bigger kitchen..."

A real-life review from a customer. We couldn't make this up if we tried!

“My order arrived two days ahead of schedule and the contents were well packaged. Since it arrived at noon, I tried the spaghetti with marinara sauce and everything about it was excellent. Tearing open the package, I was instantly greeted with the aroma of a sauce that’s been simmering all afternoon.

The taste was even better! The sauce was tangy and meaty, and didn’t need any other condiments. It was delicious just the way it was prepared.

The meal was filling and I didn’t really have room for dessert, but I wanted to eat a Packaroon to round it out. The Mint Chocolate Packaroon is going to be dangerous in my home.

Just the delightful coconut cookie that would call my name in the middle of the night. I have 4 breakfasts and 3 more dinners to try, and then I’m placing another order. Well done and thank you! It is by far, the best dehydrated meal I have tasted.”

-Donna, Grass-Fed Beef Spaghetti🍝

https://www.heatherschoice.com/products/grass-fed-beef-spaghetti-with-marinara-sauce

05/30/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I'm addicted..."

"I'm on the paleo diet and was looking for a trekking meal which supports my diet. Insert Heather's Choice... I also don't eat meat so the African Peanut Stew fits perfectly and I gave it a shot... what should I say... I'm addicted! I like the taste of curry with a touch of spice. I can't find the peanut taste in it, but I don't care! My favorite for my next thru-hike ❤️"

Our vegetarian staff members share an equal amount of obsession with the African Peanut Stew. It's just that good.

If you had to pick just one Heather's Choice meal to eat for the rest of time, which one would you choose?

P.S. A fresh batch of African Peanut Stew just hit the website. You won't be disappointed incorporating this meal into your regular rotation. Truth be told, we often eat this meal for lunch at our desks🤪

05/23/2024

Our team at Heather’s Choice wanted to send a huge THANK YOU for joining in on the Small Business Sales Week. Your support means the world to us, and we’re so thrilled that you’ve stocked up on all your favorite Packaroon flavors!

Now that you’re all set with a fresh stash of Packaroons, here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy them:

🥾Hiking Snacks - Toss a few into your pack and feel ready to tackle the miles ahead.

🍪A Packaroon Ceremony - You and a friend choose your favorite Packaroon flavor and split each in half. Double the flavor, double the fun!

🍫Homemade Packaroon Pops - Like cake-pops, but better. Melt some chocolate, coat your choice of Packaroon flavor, and let sit in the fridge until the chocolate has set (if you can wait that long!).

🆘Emergency Snacks - Stash a few Packaroons in your gym bag, car, backpack, even your coat pocket as a “tear open in case of hanger” emergency snack.

Finally, send us your Packraoon photos! We want to know where these little cookies go on adventures. To the coffee shop? On a daily dog walk? The snack-ibilities are endless!

05/22/2024

What a week! Not only did we just wrap up a successful Small Business Sales Week, we're also participating in a giveaway! Today is the final day to enter for a chance to win over $3,800 worth of gear. Head to the link below to enter.

With summer inching closer, we're doing our best to keep shelves stocked for those times when you plan a spur-of-the-moment trip and didn't have time to plan ahead. Been there!

If you're headed out of town and are looking to find some Heather's Choice near you, check out our store locator! If you can't find anything near you, shoot us a message and let us know where you'd like to see our products!

Can't wait to see all the adventures Packaroons go on this summer!

https://woorise.com/familycampinggiveaway/family-camping-giveaway

05/21/2024

Today is the ⚡️LAST DAY⚡️ of Small Business Sales Week and the final day to stock up on Packaroons for 20% OFF!

No discount code needed, simply load up your cart and we'll take care of the rest!

After you've had the chance to shop our sale, check out all the other 80+ small outdoor businesses holding sales.

Big thanks to our wholesale partner, for hosting another incredible Small Business Sales Week!

Hope to see everyone and their Packaroons in the wild this summer🥾🏔️🍪

📸

https://www.heatherschoice.com/collections/packaroons

05/18/2024

In honor of Small Business Sales Week, we wanted to introduce you to the people behind the scenes at Heather’s Choice 📸

ICYMI Small Business Sales Week hosted by garagegrowngear is a tribute to the fantastic small brands that shape our outdoor community!

From now till Tuesday, May 21st, enjoy incredible discounts and special offers from your fav small outdoor brands 🥳 Head to GGG’s website for the full list of 80 participating brands!

Now…an intro to our small but mighty team 💫

🔥 Heather

Best known for her boisterous laugh and type A tendencies, she’s the CEO and founder that’s been holding the torch for close to a decade.

💕 Austin

Loved by all, he plays to win every single board game and is not bashful about it. Also not bashful about his love for Shania Twain, which has long since been banned from the kitchen playlist.

🔨 Aaron

Hammer dropper…he will outwork just about anyone at a steady clip. We think it’s the fact that he’s so tall and has a wingspan…clearly it makes him work faster 🤪

🕵️‍♂️ Brad

Mr. Fix It has a knack for finding and solving problems. Likely can be found underneath a piece of equipment preparing to tell you the 5,000 things the manufacturer did wrong when coming up with the design. We love him for it!

🏄‍♀️ Quinn

Would rather be surfing…loves punk music, getting sh*t done, and has no time for idle hands. Helpful without being asked and is likely eating a Heather’s Choice meal as we speak.

🐶 Brooke

Lover of all the things, especially her dog Moose who is always at her feet. Will charm anyone with grace and will surprise you with countless random acts of kindness.

🌻 Abby

Much like Mr. Fix It, she keeps the rest of us in check. Proofreading extraordinaire and unabashed collector of late payments. Silence is her superpower…the ultimate intimidation tactic!

🐻 Kyle (not pictured)

Should be wearing a jester outfit, keeps the rest of the kitchen crew in stitches. Likely can be found with an unreasonably large lunch box in tow, or fly rod in hand.

🫐 Brittney (not pictured)

In house recipe developer, mom to six kiddos, always with a smile on her face! No task is too big or too small for this mama!