RecPak Founder Story: From Military Service to Revolutionary Outdoor Nutrition
How Military Experience Inspired a New Approach to Outdoor Meal Solutions
Some of the most innovative outdoor gear emerges from real experiences in demanding environments. For RecPak founder Deed Ziegler, the spark came in Afghanistan's unforgiving terrain, where he led a Marine Corps platoon through multi-day missions carrying everything they needed on their backs.
"In those environments, you have two options," explains Ziegler. "Either bulky meals that require stopping to prepare, or convenient snacks that lack complete nutrition. Based on my combat test nutrition experience, I realized there had to be a better way to fuel outdoor missions."
Identifying a Gap in Lightweight Backpacking Food
This firsthand experience with the limitations of existing outdoor nutrition options planted the seed for what would become RecPak, a veteran owned outdoor nutrition company. After transitioning from the military, Deed earned his MBA and gained operations experience at companies like Tesla and Apple. But the vision of creating a better nutritional solution for outdoor athletes and professionals never left him.
"The fundamental problem was clear," explains Deed. "Whether you're a mountaineer, search and rescue professional, or military operator, you're often faced with choosing between nutritionally complete meals that take time to prepare and convenient snacks that lack complete nutrition. There was nothing that effectively bridged that gap."
Developing the Perfect Outdoor Meal Replacement
Development of RecPak took several years of intensive collaboration with sports nutritionists, food scientists, and packaging engineers. The goal was ambitious: create a lightweight, complete high calorie meals for adventure, that could be consumed on the move while withstanding the rigors of the backcountry. The result was a unique 700-calorie powder meal replacement in a custom-designed durable pouch that simply requires water to prepare.
Key Features of RecPak's Innovative Design:
The goal was ambitious: create a complete high calorie meal replacement that could be consumed on the move while saving critical space and weight. The solution needed to be:
- Lightweight, durable packaging
- Complete nutritional profile
- Just-add-water convenience
- 700 calories per serving
- Designed for on-the-move consumption
- Optimized for endurance activities
- no-cook meal
"We didn't take any shortcuts," Deed emphasizes. "Every aspect, from the nutritional profile optimized for endurance activities to the specialized manufacturing process and packaging design, was meticulously developed. You don't see other products like this because it's genuinely challenging to create."
From Summit to Service: RecPak's Impact in the Field
Since launching in October 2022, RecPak has been tested and proven in some of the world's most demanding environments - from Himalayan peaks to Arctic expeditions. But beyond creating innovative gear, Deed built RecPak with a deeper mission.
Making a Difference Through Nutrition:
- Over 6,000 packs donated to Ukraine humanitarian efforts
- Partnerships with outdoor veteran organizations
- Member of The Conservation Alliance and 1% for the Planet supporting conservation
- Made in the USA
"As someone who's experienced firsthand how proper nutrition can impact performance in challenging situations, I believe we have an obligation to support those serving in demanding roles," says Deed. "Whether it's first responders, military personnel, or conservation workers, these individuals need and deserve the best tools possible to accomplish their missions. Think of this as a military meal replacement or a military grade backpacking meal that is now ready for outdoor enthusiasts to make an easy camping meal."
The Future of Outdoor Nutrition
From its origins in military service to its evolution as a trusted nutrition solution for outdoor enthusiasts, RecPak remains focused on its core purpose: providing complete nutrition that enables people to go further, whether outdoors is their passion or their profession.
"What started as a solution for military operations has evolved into something that serves the broader outdoor community," says Ziegler. "Whether you're an ultrarunner, mountaineer, or search and rescue professional, having complete nutrition that doesn't slow you down is game-changing."
For Deed and the RecPak team, it's about more than just creating innovative outdoor gear - it's about fueling adventures, supporting those who serve, and helping preserve the wild places we all depend on.
Pack light, go far.