Frequently asked questions

What are Treko products?
We manufacture freeze-dried outdoor meals designed in an eco-responsible way.

How long has the company been in existence?
The company was born in November 2018 during the Shawinigan Startup Weekend. It is a business creation competition where teams must create a fictitious company in 54 hours and then make a sales pitch in front of judges. We won first place and then decided to take the project more seriously.

The company was officially incorporated on July 18, 2019 .

To know the full story

What do you do differently from the competition?

• All our meals are vegan;
• Made with Quebec ingredients as much as possible;
• The ingredients we use are grown in Quebec (e.g. we will never put bananas in our products);
• We don't use any unpronounceable ingredients;
• We freeze dry 100% (no blending);
• We offer innovative products that stand out from the competition;
• And much more!

Where is your production space located?
Treko meals are cooked in Louiseville, Mauricie, using local ingredients whenever possible.

How many servings in a bag?
All our pouches contain two servings (except the expedition cretons and the audacious smoothie which contain three). So, one pouch can accommodate two standard eaters and a big eater will be satisfied with just one pouch.

How are the products designed?
Initially, the dishes to be developed are chosen based on the availability of fruits and vegetables produced in the Mauricie region and surrounding areas.

The selection and assembly of ingredients is done with a view to obtaining a product whose nutritional value meets specific criteria, particularly with regard to proteins. The dishes are nutritious, filling and tasty. Suitable for diabetics.

Can we put hot water in the bag?
It is possible to put boiling water in the bag but we do not recommend it since it is compostable. However you can put cold water without problems.

Do I absolutely need boiling water?
No! The cretons and smoothie work wonderfully with cold water and rehydrate in less than a minute.

Can the amount of water be varied?
Yes, no problem. You can add more water to have a more liquid preparation or less to have something less consistent. What is indicated on the packet is only a suggested quantity.

What is the cooking time?
The suggested cooking time is written on the packet, but you can easily extend or shorten the time if you think it's ready.

To learn more about how to prepare freeze-dried meals, check out our blog post.

How is the packaging compostable?
The packaging composts in a home compost bin.

Can we bury the bag?
No. Even though the Treko bag is compostable, a package left on the trail can easily end up being consumed by animals, which can make them sick, or even dug up by the rain, which causes visual pollution for other users of the area. The best option is to take the bag home and put it in the compost bin, or wash it by hand with warm water and reuse it to take your snacks on a future outing. For more details, readthis article .

What are the ideal storage conditions in the bag?
Ideally store in a dry place away from light. You need to take even more precautions since our packaging is compostable.

If my packaging is damaged, are the products still edible?
Yes. If this is the case, the product will come into contact with moisture and will slowly rehydrate. Since our products do not contain animal products, pathogen development is almost non-existent and there are therefore few health risks. Some products contain oil so it is possible that the product will go rancid. Contact us if you have any doubts.

What is freeze drying?
Freeze-drying is the dehydration technique we have chosen for Treko meals. It involves removing moisture through cold, rather than heat, and allows 95% of the nutrients, taste, color and texture of the food to be preserved. The process can take 40 to 60 hours to complete, but it is worth it!

Interesting fact: Instant coffee and strawberries found in breakfast cereals are freeze-dried products. This method is also used in pharmacy and in the preservation of historical documents.

How long does freeze-dried food last?
Under ideal conditions (well-sealed Mason jar with an oxygen absorber), a freeze-dried product can be stored for 25 years!