hey all. anyone here had any experience and/or success with the organically grown/ natural foods fare of mary jane? any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. peace!
leslie
leslie
Mary jane's farm/ go organic!
system
#1
system
#2
Leslie,
I used quite a few of Mary Jane’s “Backcountry” meals (packaged in the burnable brown bags) on my PCT trip this past summer. I pretty much did a sampler of most of the dinners and a couple of the breakfasts. With a few exceptions, they were DELICIOUS! There were a couple in particular (Red Pesto Pasta & Santa Fe Pasta) that I wished I had double the serving 
I remember that I didn’t care for the Ginger Sesame Pasta. Also, the 2 varieties of spuds were really tasty as well. I was able to pick up a lot of samples (one of each dish) from Northern Mountain Supply (which were on sale/clearance). If I were planning a thru-hike, I would have bought my favorites in bulk from her site. That would have allowed me to package larger servings because I was positively LICKING the bags after I finished! Hope I’ve helped . . .
DJ
system
#3
My husband and I used several of the Mary Jane Farm meals this year while on our attempted thru-hike of the AT (we ended at 1500 miles due to injury, so in reality it will just be a BIG section ). We bought the Backpacker size, and would each eat our own packet of the pastas or couscous, usually with some of the foil-packed chicken or TVP mixed in for a bit of extra protein. They were a great treat in our maildrops, and a welcome change from Lipton Noodles. The black bean flakes also made for great burritos with a foil-packet of chicken mixed in and some good cheese on tortiallas. We did find that we liked them with a bit less water than the directions called for so they wouldn’t be soupy. All in all, dfinitely a good addition to our food bag, especially since you could eat them out of the bag, which meant fewer dishes!
-Sparkplug
Sparkplug
system
#4
MJF’s backcountry size meals (I think they call them “outpost” sometimes too) are fantastic. I prepare them with the water they call for because I often add some of my own deydrated veggies, and you need the water. Actually, I rehydrate the veggies in the water I boil that is then added to the MJF stand-up containers. Great additions–taste, texture, and nutrition wise–for hardly any extra weight.
I really liked the East African Pea Soup, but last check they had discontinued it because they lost their source for the main ingredient. I hope they get it back. Other favorites include: any of the pastas, lentil soup, corn & black bean chowder.
Only one item made me gag: the lentil curry couscous. Maybe just a personal thing.
The meal prices for the larger backcountry/outpost size are certainly more than you’d pay for a Lipton’s but less than you’d pay for a Mountain House, Backpacker’s Pantry or Alpineaire type dehydrated meal. Even if you BUY dehydrated veggies to add to a MJF meal you’re still further ahead $-wise than those three.
Can’t say the same for MJF’s food bars. At $2.40 per bar, they aren’t worth it IMHO.
Prep and cleanup couldn’t be easier. Boil water, pour in bag, stir, fold up, let sit for 10 minutes or so, eat. Only cleanup involves your spoon, and the packaging is burnable if you have a fire going.
For more info (including how to get their magazine/catalog), go to: http://www.maryjanesfarm.com.
Skyline
system
#5
I did not care for their products, because some of their “gormet” meals did not fill my need and required multiple cookwear. This is just my opinion I tried 6 items.
Now I can reconmend “JUST VEGETABLES” alot! or “JUST CORN” just search for “JUST VEGETABLES” I really liked the spicy vegs. these are organic and simple foods that have been dehydrated for us. !!!YES, OH YES, I LIKE THEM OOH!OOH!
1/4
1/4 of the way
system
#6
We have taken them on section hikes the last two years. Everything I’ve had has been great. The outback oatmeal is superb, and so is the black bean hummus, in addition to the others mentioned by previous posters. You do have to make sure you get the instant meals, which most of them are. Some of the non-instant products do require some simmering or other preparation. For weight, taste, ease of cooking and cleanup, they’re hard to beat.
Terry
system
#7
MJF does make some items you have to “bake” in a special appliance in the woods. If that is what 1/4 Of The Way was referring to, I agree. But the meals that only require you to boil water don’t require you to pack anything extra or special, and couldn’t be easier.
I’ve had some good experience with a company that sounds suspiciously like “Just Vegetables” called “Just Tomatoes.” They have a lot more than tomatoes. I bet it’s the same company in fact, or a close cousin. But usually, dehydrating veggies at home is so easy I don’t buy from them anymore–and it gives me the added option of spicing them exactly how I want.
Skyline