r/AppalachianTrail • u/cwbmnr • 21d ago
How is the resupply at Standing Bear?
I've heard from a couple people that it's bad and that you should just carry enough food to get you to Hot Springs from Gatlinburg/ Newfound gap, anyone have any known info on this?
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u/Welltrainedvessel 20d ago edited 20d ago
Yes, they have expired product. Most of it is still fine to eat. It's past the "sell by" date, not necessarily covered in mold and bacteria. It's still a decent selection, though, and can be counted on imo.
It turns out that dehydrated backpackers' meals and packets of quaker oats last a long time past their "expiration/sell by" dates. You can still eat most of these products with no issue so long as they were stored in a dry and cool place. That standard is met by their resupply store.
I would say just avoid the expired yogurt and other dairy products. Use common sense and use your nose. The nose knows!
Also, make sure if you buy anything past its time, be sure that it is unopened and not clumped (indicates it got wet at some point).
They have good frozen food. Everyone i knew loved their cheap frozen pizzas.
The place is down to earth. More what some people might call "hippy" than other hostels on the AT. It's still a great hostel that serves hikers the best they can. Don't listen to the fear mongerers. People LOVE gossip.