Born on a Trail in
the Cordillera Huayhuash
Pouchamama grew out of a simple question asked at altitude: why are we carrying this food all the way from home?
Our Story
My first trip to Peru was for an unguided trek through the Cordillera Huayhuash — a remote circuit that takes between eight and ten days with limited resupply options. My friends and I came prepared, packing freeze-dried food from the US for the entire trip.
When I got to Huaraz, a well known gateway for hikers, the markets were overflowing with nutrient-rich ingredients: quinoa, ají amarillo, tens of native potato varieties...what didn't yet exist was a trail food brand built around them. For multi-day backcountry trips, the options were imported and generic.
This felt like an opening worth exploring. What if these incredible Andean ingredients could become the foundation of a freeze-dried food brand, one rooted in traditional Peruvian recipes, working directly with local farmers, and packaged to leave no trace? On return to Huaraz from Cordillera Huayhuash, talking it through with people who knew the region and its food culture, the idea started to take shape.
Today, I have the privilege of working with an incredible team in Huaraz where we are making this dream a reality. We've built out a full range of freeze-dried snacks, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Our pouches are compostable, and all recipes are made with locally sourced Peruvian ingredients: no preservatives and trail ready.
What We Stand For
Small-Farmer Sourcing
We work directly with family farms across Peru, cutting out middlemen and putting more money in the hands of the people who grow the food.
Made for the Trail
Every product is engineered for mountain adventures — lightweight, calorie-dense, and ready in minutes with just hot water.
Real Food, No Shortcuts
No preservatives, no artificial flavors. We offer gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-sensitive options — all made with whole ingredients.
Compostable Packaging
Our pouches are made from plant-based materials. Pack it in, pack it out — and it will return to the earth.
Woman Owned and Operated
Pouchamama is founded and led by women, bringing a distinct perspective to every decision we make.
Locally Made, Locally Meaningful
Pouchamama is not just a product. It is an investment in the communities that make Peru's mountains worth trekking. By sourcing and producing locally in Huaraz, we keep value in the region rather than shipping it elsewhere.
No middlemen: We work directly with farmers, which means better prices for growers and fresher ingredients for you.
Compostable packaging: Our pouches are made from plant-based materials designed to break down naturally. Pack it in, pack it out, and know that what you carry won't burden the planet.
Traditional recipes: We celebrate Peruvian culinary heritage, not generic adventure food. Every meal is inspired by the flavors and ingredients of the Andes.
Ready to Taste the Difference?
Explore our full range of Peruvian-inspired trail meals and fuel your next adventure with real food.
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