FAQ

What are Happy Yak meals?

Happy Yak offers delicious freeze-dried gourmet meals made in Cowansville, Quebec, at our own Canadian manufacturing facility. We proudly craft premium, ready-to-eat adventure meals using high-quality ingredients and chef-developed recipes. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or stocking your emergency kit, Happy Yak brings you the best freeze-dried meals in Canada — nutritious, convenient, and full of real flavour.

How to prepare Happy Yak meals?

Happy Yak meals are designed to be simple and convenient — perfect for outdoor adventures, travel, or busy days at home.

Happy Yak Express Meals: Add boiling water directly into the pouch up to the fill line (about 350–400 mL for mains or 150–200 mL for sides/snacks). Stir well, seal, and let sit for 8–12 minutes. Stir again and enjoy!

Happy Yak Regular Meals: Require stovetop preparation — rehydrate first, then simmer according to pouch instructions.

Tips & Safety

Add 1–2 extra minutes at high altitudes.
Pouches are not microwave-safe.
Consume immediately or refrigerate leftovers within 48 hours.
Be cautious when opening — contents may be hot.

Always handle boiling water carefully and enjoy your ready-to-eat freeze-dried meal wherever you are.

What is the difference between “Express” and “Regular” meals?

Happy Yak Express meals can be rehydrated directly in the pouch — just add boiling water and wait about 10 minutes. Regular meals require stovetop cooking but offer a wider variety of gourmet options. The majority of our meals are Express. View them all here: Express Meals Collection.

What is the best before date for Happy Yak meals?

Most Happy Yak meals have a best before date of 7 years from production when stored properly. Meals containing milk or egg powder may have a shorter 5-year shelf life. The exact date (YYYY-MM-DD) is printed on one of the four corners of each pouch.

Storage Tip: To maximize freshness, store your freeze-dried meals in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and humidity. Once opened or rehydrated, consume immediately or refrigerate and enjoy within 48 hours. If a pouch is damaged or swollen, contact us at info@happyyak.ca for assistance.

Are Happy Yak meals healthy?

Yes! Happy Yak meals are made with premium natural ingredients, with no preservatives or artificial flavours. They’re balanced in protein, carbs, and essential nutrients — ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone who wants healthy freeze-dried meals for hiking, travel, or everyday life.

Do you offer vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or lactose-free Happy Yak meals?

Absolutely! Happy Yak offers a wide variety of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and other high-protein freeze-dried meals to fit all dietary preferences. You can use the filters on our website to find options that suit your needs — from vegan hiking meals and gluten-free camping food to lactose-free adventure meals, we have something for everyone.

Can I eat Happy Yak meals at home or work?

Definitely. Happy Yak meals are made to nourish every explorer, worker, student, and family — not just those on the trail. From outdoor adventures to office lunches, our goal is simple: to feed every mouth in the world with wholesome, delicious, and easy-to-prepare meals, no matter where life takes you.

How should I store Happy Yak meals?

Store your freeze-dried meals in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. No refrigeration is required, making them ideal for camping, hiking, travel, or emergency food kits. Keep sealed until ready to enjoy for maximum freshness and long shelf life.

Can I return or exchange my order?

For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns of food products. However, if your order arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, we’ll gladly make it right.

To help us process your claim quickly, please provide:
• A clear photo of the affected pouch(es), including the best before date section
• If the product was purchased from a store, a detailed receipt showing where and when it was bought

Without these details, it may be difficult for us to assist you. Please send your information to info@happyyak.ca and our Customer Service team will review your case within 1–2 business days.

Where can I buy Happy Yak meals?

You can find Happy Yak products at several outdoor and sports retailers across Canada. Check our “Store locator” page to locate the store nearest you.

Which countries does Happy Yak ship to?

Currently, Happy Yak ships within Canada from our facility in Cowansville, Quebec.

If you’re outside Canada and wish to place an order, contact us at info@happyyak.ca with your country and postal code — we’ll gladly check the possibility of shipping to your region.

Important Notes (Outside Canada):
• Customs and import taxes (for international requests) are the customer’s responsibility
• Delivery times vary by location

What type of payment options are available?

We accept secure payments through Shopify using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and major digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. All transactions are processed in Canadian dollars (CAD).

Once I place my order, when will it be shipped?

Orders are processed and shipped from our Cowansville, Quebec facility.

• Most orders ship within 1–3 business days.
• Orders received before 11:00 a.m. (EST) may ship the same day depending on volume.

Shipping Options:
• Standard Shipping: Free for orders over $99 (otherwise $17.49)
• Express Shipping: Available anywhere in Canada for $22.75

You’ll receive a tracking link by email once your Happy Yak meals are on their way. Delivery times may vary depending on your location and carrier availability.

Is sustainable development important to Happy Yak?

Absolutely. Our shipping materials are recyclable and include recycled content wherever possible. Our meal pouches are made from high-performance, multi-layer materials that ensure safety and long shelf life but are not yet recyclable. We are actively researching more sustainable solutions to reduce our environmental impact while maintaining our product quality and safety standards.

Still have questions?

If you didn’t find the answer you were looking for, contact our Customer Service team at info@happyyak.ca — we usually respond within 1–2 business days.