Freeze-dried food heating up profits for local company

BOULDER — Many outdoor enthusiasts and museum attendees alike are already familiar with American Outdoor Products. They just might not know it.

American Outdoor Products Inc. is a family owned and operated Boulder-based company that offers a variety of food and outdoor cookware products under the names Backpackers Pantry, Evolution Cookware and Outback Oven. In addition, the company also owns Salamander Paddle Gear, Astronaut Foods, Action Snacks and Colorado Spice.

President Rodney Smith has been involved with the company since he was 10 years old, when his family bought Dry-Lite Foods, located in Los Angeles, in 1971. Dry-Lite made dehydrated…