On Track Meals Prepackaged Meals

I spend a lot of time on the road, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy eating well while traveling, even in remote places.

There’s nothing wrong with cracking open a can of beans every now and then, but it can get monotonous, and I like a little variety every few nights, even when I have the bottom of the fridge. I’ve tried a lot of different dehydrated meals over the years and some of them taste like wet cardboard, and many don’t provide enough nutrients after a long day of driving.

I recently discovered a company called On Track Meals (OTM)who revolutionised pre-packaged meals. Brothers Rich and Andrew are the driving force behind OTM and they now supply these pre-packaged meals around the world. In 2010, Rich and Andrew led expeditions along the Kokoda Track through their travel company Expeditions on trackAlthough the expeditions were successful, the meals offered were disappointing, as the industry standard at the time was freeze-dried food.

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With careful planning and collaboration with industry experts, the brothers soon began cooking real food and packaging it using retort pouch technology, which involves placing pre-cooked food in a food-grade airtight container and heating it up to 120°C to kill all microorganisms. The airtight meals have a shelf life of three years, regardless of how they are stored, but the best part is the short preparation time for each meal when you are on the road; simply boil water and immerse the pouch for three minutes and it is ready to serve and eat.

In addition to evening meals, OTM also offers a big breakfast, so good you can have it at any time of day. You can even buy 24-hour ration packs that include tea, coffee, snacks, a little sugar, lunch and, of course, dinner. There are also vegan packs, slow-drip coffee sachets (from Dog & Gun), Summit bars, hydrating electrolyte additives and a huge range of bundle packs. You can also create your own packs and keep adding whatever your taste buds desire.

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Another very useful product is the flameless heat bag which can be used for adventures when a fire is not possible, either due to weather conditions or fire restrictions. These bags are easy to use: simply open them, put your meal in, fill with water to the indicated line, close them and the bag heats up, warming your meal in about 10 minutes. Go Packs are another option designed for emergency use, such as in the event of a vehicle breakdown or when you might be stranded somewhere due to a flood.

I have tried several OTM dishes and am a big fan; the pouches weigh next to nothing, take up very little space in your vehicle and can be prepared very quickly. The company is Australian owned and operated and uses 100% Australian produce wherever possible.

I can’t decide what my favourite dish is, but I can think of the slow-cooked Australian beef, the mild chilli con carne, the tender lamb and, for dessert, the coconut rice pudding. As well as being delicious, all the dishes come with specific nutritional information.

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As well as being available to the general public, OTM provides meal packages to emergency services across Australia, and sister company On Track Expeditions continues to offer a wide range of expertly guided tours to destinations including Nepal, Kilimanjaro, Tassie’s Overland Track, Everest Base Camp and, of course, the Kokoda Track.

They may be primarily designed for hikers, but these meal options are perfect for four-wheel-drivers who venture into remote and isolated areas and want something tastier and more nutritious to eat than a can of beans.

You can either order OTM packages online or collect them from selected camping stores across Australia.

Prices : From $9.95 (RRP)

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