MRES

MREs | Meals Ready to Eat

Most people have heard of MREs, Meals Ready to Eat, but what are they exactly? They are high-calorie individually packed food rations that are normally used in combat or natural disasters when normal food preparation is not an option. They are lightweight and include a water sleeve which allows for a small amount of water to heat up your ration. 

What do MREs include?

These heavily sealed plastic meals include a main course, side dish, dessert, bread and an utensil. Some MREs packets may also have an accessory pack which holds a matchbook, napkin, moist towelette, seasoning packets and coffee powder. One must remember that MREs are designed to have a high-fat and high-salt content that gives you fuel that you need to accomplish your mission, so they are not ideal for sedative lifestyles.

What is the shelf life of a MRE?

Most MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) do not have an indefinite expiration date. They are designed to last a long time, but the temperatures which they are stored do affect their shelf life. The estimated shelf life of MREs will adjust based upon changing temperatures, here is a standard table for calculating the shelf life.

• 1 month at 120 degrees Fahrenheit
• 18 months at 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• 30 months at 90 degrees Fahrenheit
• 48 months at 80 degrees Fahrenheit
• 55 months at 70 degrees Fahrenheit
• 85 months at 60 degrees Fahrenheit

How to prepare a MRE? 

Each meal pouch includes a water-activated heater sleeve. Slip a still-sealed food packet into the heater sleeve, add a small amount of water (a few tablespoons) to the fill line on the heater sleeve, fold it shut, and set it down. This self-contained system heats the food packet up so you can enjoy the variety of dinners available. 

How long do they take to ship?

The availability of MREs will vary based upon military demand and current events. When alternative food sources are needed, the availability of stocked MREs will decrease due to an increased demand. As of March 18, 2020 we are expecting a 3-4 week delivery time frame.

Additional Survival Gear

Surviving in the wilderness or a natural disaster requires more than food, you must have protection against the elements. To ensure you have the survival gear that you need, Galls offers a large selection of emergency preparedness supplies including basic survival kits, 3-day packs, MOLLE backpacks and additional field and camping gear. Shop our low prices today and make sure you are prepared for the unexpected.