| Meals ready to eat, more commonly known as | | | | military meals served by US Armed Forces. An |
| MREs are a self-contained field ration developed | | | | MRE can be stored safely for several years to |
| for the members of the US military. The | | | | provide emergency food and water when |
| lightweight packages are designed to provide | | | | necessary. Thinking compact is your first order of |
| service personnel with survival food when | | | | business when preparing for emergencies. Packing |
| organized cooking and dining facilities are | | | | small items makes a huge difference if for |
| unavailable such as times the soldiers are on field | | | | example; you and your family had to move |
| maneuvers. | | | | locations in the event of an emergency or natural |
| Ration packs were initially put into service during | | | | disaster. |
| the Revolutionary War. The army rations of | | | | Freeze dried food can last for decades without |
| those days consisted of mainly beef, rice, and | | | | losing much of its nutritional value. Food for |
| peas. The first military meals contained enough | | | | survival is essential for an emergency |
| food that was to last a soldier the entire day. | | | | preparedness plan. MRE foods are available in |
| Canned goods were the main food for survival | | | | many different sized kits from #10 cans to |
| during the Civil War. Later on, military meals were | | | | pouches. Stocking meals ready to eat is the |
| issued as a whole ration kit, containing canned | | | | foundation of any successful exit strategy |
| meat, bread, salt pork, coffee, salt, and sugar. | | | | planning. Ideally you should store enough survival |
| During WWI, meat in cans was replaced with | | | | food to last your family for at least three months. |
| lighter weight dried or salted meats. This | | | | Another crucial part of an emergency plan is |
| substitution allowed more ration packs to be | | | | storing water and filters. |
| carried by foot soldiers. (And saved that awful | | | | If it became necessary to leave home, you would |
| sinking feeling when you have canned goods but | | | | need a 72 hour survival kit at the very least. MRE |
| no can opener!) As WWII broke out, a number of | | | | meals provide a long shelf life while preserving |
| new army rations were introduced. | | | | nutrition and most importantly taste! Survival food |
| Meals Ready to Eat offered to civilians are | | | | offered today is far better tasting than the |
| portable ration packs that are similar to the | | | | military MRE foods of the past. |