Hiking Food Finds: 10 Minutes In Aldi For The First Time I Trail Cooking

Out in the PNW, Aldi hasn’t shown up yet in Washington or Oregon, but on the East Coast, it is everywhere. And have I ever passed up on checking out stores for potential hiking snacks/foods?

Not usually.

When I saw my first Aldi in the wild in Charles Town, West Virginia, I had to ask Kirk if we could stop. I knew I didn’t have much space for bringing back items, so I got meat and berries. They were easy to pack in my carry-on backpack and closely aligned with what I’d eat normally.

Bonus points: This location is on the way to Harper’s Ferry National Park and the AT so that you can grab snacks there.

I have my thoughts about the house brand and who is making these sausage sticks and jerky. For one, it looks EXACTLY like a certain PNW brand that makes sugar-free jerky and sticks—and tastes just like it. Even the ingredient list is exact. The price is a huge difference, though. At Aldi, it was $7.99, while the other brand is $12.99—or higher—for the same product.

Simms Zero Sugar Orginal Smoked Snack Sticks

One of Kirk’s friends introduced me to these sausages while in WV. I liked the flavor and texture. The sausage casings are naturally colored – no fake colors. And no nitrites either.

Simms Zero Sugar Spicy Jalapeno Smoked Snack Sticks

These do have heat in them and a nice, snappy texture. As above, the casings are naturally colored.

Simms Zero Sugar Orginal Beef Jerky

Jerky is not cheap in the PNW. It is one of the priciest snacks you can buy, so I had to pick it up as soon as I saw it. If you like jerky, it is your basic kind. Chaw away! I did prefer the sausage sticks, though.

Freeze-dried Strawberries

These single-serving bags of crunchy strawberries are affordable. They’re perfect for adding to a water bottle, munching on, or adding to oatmeal or rice pudding recipes. Being small bags, they won’t absorb moisture and go limp. They are vibrant in flavor, and I liked them.