Through my years of going camping, exploring places and just haning out in my own back yard, I have developed a fairly relaxed way of dealing with food when in the wilds.

One lump or two?
I look for sample size of everything from toothpaste to tea to put into my pack. I found in a Celestial Seasonings package a ‘sample’ size container that holds six tea bags. It keeps the tea clean, and I know exactly how much I have, when I remember to restock my pack. And try making rice with Red Zinger tea sometime. (yum!)
On the web you can find places that are giving away sample sizes of almost anything. If you need a place to start, type in your favorite product name, and see if they can send a (usually free) sample! I know that sample sizes are very over packaged, but are very convenient for backpacking. I even get samples of trashbags that I take along.

...oh, three or four.
I also keep the ‘singles’ size coffee around so that I can have that kick in the morning. I have to admit that I am a caffeine addict. There are instants that have milk and sugar in them already, too. Look for instant Latte, Cappuccino and such, if plain coffee isn't enough.

Candy, little girl?
Yes, I have candy in the cooking supplies, too. Chocolate is not a good choice because it melts, but hard candy and things like sweet-tarts are good. Sugar packets tend to get wet, and unuseable. An almost pure sugar pastille hard candy can be used quite well for in tea or coffee.

I suggest putting a pack of the dentifrice gum in for after dinner, though you should not swallow or leave behind such things. The fluoride is not as good for your stomach as it is for your teeth.

Utilities
Even though it is fun to watch someone try to open cans without a can opener in the middle of the wilderness, doing it yourself can be horrific. I suggest getting a real can opener to put into your pack, or only have things that don’t need such in your pack.

Some of the single serving cans that are available for kids lunches are pull-tops. Those would work when on a camping trip, but remember to pack it out with you.

Cup
I have tried to get rid of my trusty collapsible cup many times. Whenever I think I have found the replacement, I either put a hole through the plastic (with a still smoldering fire stick...), run it over so that it looks like a washer, or I just loose it. Luckily, I hoard things, so I haven’t thrown it way, yet.

Runs with scissors

Even though I do tend to have several multi-tools, swiss-army knives and such with me, I like having a real kitchen knife to use for preparing food. The full sized grip is important for saftey.

What other food-oriented things do I have?

What about finding food?

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