Bushka’s Kitchen

Homebase: San Francisco, California

Founded: 2018

Website: www.bushkaskitchen.com

Meals on the market: 10+

The Founding of Buskha’s Kitchen

Deana Del Vecchio, the founder of Bushka’s Kitchen, has always had a deep connection with the outdoors. Growing up near public land in New Hampshire, she developed a love for hiking and exploring nature. During a backpacking trip to Iceland, Deana realized the need for better food options and decided to create her own backpacking meals. With a passion for creating delicious adventure meals and supporting outdoor enthusiasts, Deana embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. Bushka’s Kitchen launched in 2018 with a successful Kickstarter campaign and has been growing steadily ever since.

As succinctely stated in an older blog post on the companies website:

“Our mission is simple – we are creating ready to eat, just add water dried meals that don’t suck. Period.”

The Philosophy behind Bushka’s Kitchen:

Bushka’s Kitchen was born out of a passion for the outdoors and a desire to create nutritious meals for fellow adventure seekers. The menu is carefully designed to strike a balance between taste and health, offering gourmet yet affordable options that are both filling and lightweight. The brand considers the balance of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats} in outdoor nutrition, aiming for each meal to keep you satisfied and energized during your backcountry expeditions.

Crafting Process and Commitment to Quality:

Bushka’s Kitchen emphasizes quality and preparation. Every step of the meal crafting process is carefully managed in-house, starting from sourcing and cooking the ingredients to freeze-drying and packaging the meals. The brand takes pride in using whole grains, fresh produce, and game meat obtained from family farms and ranches. By owning their own freeze-dryers, Bushka’s Kitchen ensures a seamless transition from cooking to preservation, resulting in consistently high-quality products. Each meal pouch is meticulously filled and sealed by hand, reflecting the brand’s commitment to excellence.

Meeting the Demand for Healthy Adventure Meals:

Bushka’s Kitchen recognizes the growing demand for healthier food choices in everyday life. The brand embraces this shift in consumer preferences by incorporating whole grains, reducing sodium levels, and providing transparent labeling.  Hikers can visually see this when they open a Bushka’s meal to see readily identifiable whole foods.

As stated in an interview on Garage Grown Gear:

“So much of the enjoyment and anticipation of a meal comes from our other senses, and not just how something tastes,” says Deana. “Food should be visually appealing. Food should smell delicious. And yes, food should taste incredible.”

The brand strives for these goals in their preperation methods. Bushka’s Kitchen avoids the use of artificial preservatives to keep their food shelf-stable. Instead, the meals are naturally preserved through the freeze-drying process, which effectively removes oxygen and moisture. The brand avoids excessive salt and carefully seasons each dish to enhance its taste and aroma.

Bushka’s Kitchen is dedicated to providing outdoor enthusiasts with nutritious and delicious freeze-dried meals that fuel their wildest adventures. With a focus on quality ingredients, meticulous preparation, and a commitment to meeting the evolving demands of health-conscious consumers, Bushka’s Kitchen stands out as a brand that not only satisfies taste buds but also nourishes the body during outdoor pursuits. Whether you’re exploring the backcountry or embarking on a family camping trip, Bushka’s Kitchen is there to ensure you have a memorable dining experience in the great outdoors.

Meals from Bushka’s Kitchen