We’ve all heard the quote, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.” As a kid, my scouts leader used to drill this into our heads.
I still live by it today.
I’ve put money put aside in case my car dies or if there is a medical emergency. I have a fully equipped first aid kit in the linen closet if there is an accident, and I have a selection of MRE meals in my stockpile.
When I tell my family about my MRE menu, they are initially surprised – they picture me scouring the internet for military surplus MRE and ration packs to fill my bomb shelter. When non-preppers hear of civilians going to buy MRE’s (if they know what they are), they usually associate them with military hobbyists or hard-core preppers. I don’t necessarily fit into either of these categories, but I see the value in buying MRE’s and adding them to my food supply.
What is an MRE?
If you aren’t familiar with the MRE meaning, it stands for Meal Ready to Eat. They were originally designed for military use and have been used for centuries – although they have come a long way since those eaten during the American Civil War.
In a lightweight, durable pouch, you get an entire meal. In the military, they would be given to soldiers for breakfast and dinner, or sometimes only once a day. Seeing as they were designed to sustain soldiers in combat, the nutritional and caloric value of each MRE is calculated and quite substantial. They are designed to last and have a long shelf-life and are sealed in a waterproof bag.
Most importantly, MREs are easy to prepare, so you can have a hot meal without electricity or fire. These features make them an easy way to store food for my family in the event we are no longer able to access grocery stores.
Your average MRE will contain an entrée (e.g., beef ravioli, chicken and rice, omelet, pasta), a side dish, dessert, bread and spreads, electrolyte drink mix, hot drink mix (e.g., coffee, tea, hot chocolate), crackers, candy, condiments, utensils, heating sleeve and a flameless ration heater (FHR) which is activated by water. You have everything you need for a complete hot meal in under 10 minutes.
MREs are different from freeze-dry or dehydrated foods. They are pre-cooked in the pouch, similar to canned food, so they retain their moisture. Although they have a relatively long shelf life, they don’t last as long as freeze-drying. MREs typically last anywhere from 1 to 5 years, which is great for prepping but shouldn’t be your only food source.
As we witnessed with COVID-19 lockdown orders, vulnerable populations and those required to quarantine could not leave their home. This happened quickly, and no one was able to prepare for the unprecedented circumstances. Natural disasters could create much more dire situations. Living by my childhood motto, I prepare for these situations in advance so that when s*!t hits the fan (SHTF), I’m ready.
Advantages and disadvantages to MRE
There are both pros and cons to MRE. As a prepper, it’s a great idea to diversify your food supply and have MRE on hand, but it should not be your only food supply.
One of the best features of MRE is that they are self-heating, so if you don’t have access to heat, you can still have a hot meal. This makes them perfect for on-the-go situations, whether that be adding them to a bug out bag or including them in your camping supplies.
The disadvantages lie with the food itself. If you are sheltering in place, your calorie-usage may not be as high as a soldier on duty. This makes the calories and sodium levels of these meals too high for the average person. That said, they do contain a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, so as long as you are balancing out the calories and sodium, you’ll be in good shape. Additionally, the taste isn’t always great, and the entrées aren’t the most flavorful. If you are feeding kids, MRE entrées will be a lot better than a can of sardines or homemade jerky, and will provide a lot more protein than pasta or lentils.
Buying MRE
If you want to stock up on MREs, you will find various civilian MRE available online. Not all are created equal so look for reviews, read contents and compare pricing. MRE’s will be your most expensive rations, so you want to shop carefully. Online, you will sometimes find discarded military MREs that have been compromised or have expired. Do your due diligence before purchasing.
One of my preferred MRE suppliers is Be Prepared. You buy MRE in a case of 12 and will receive an entrée, starchy side, snack, dessert, fruity drink mix, accessory pack, coffee, creamer, and candy in each pouch. They’ve got a great variety of entrees like BBQ chicken, cheese tortellini, or Tuscan beef. Your starch snack may include tortillas or crackers, and your snack item may include buffalo nut mix, dried fruit mix, or toasted corn. For dessert, you can receive sugar cookies, oatmeal cookies, or a power bar. These are some of the best tasting MREs I’ve tried too!
These have a 3 year shelf life and between 1100 to 1300 calories per pouch. The price for a box of 12 is roughly $110, making these less than $10 per meal. When considering how many units to buy, consider the number of family members you are prepping for. If you are focusing on a stockpile that will last you at least a year, I recommend at least one box per family member.
If we share the same sentiments and you, too, believe “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, then I’m sure you are considering or have already started stockpiling your own food supply. As a prepper, you need to prepare for a variety of different emergency situations, and your stockpile should reflect this. MRE are a great addition to your supply. Hopefully, an emergency or disaster never strikes, and you can eat them on your next camping or fishing trip. But, if it does, you can breathe easy knowing you are prepared.