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Sopakco

MRE Meals Cater to Military as Well as Survivalists

by admin on November 29, 2009

Today’s military MRE meals - the butt of jokes for American soldiers since the Revolutionary War - have so improved since then that today’s ration packs supply the forces with food that is not only nutritious and packed with energy, but quite tasty. The four companies which lead the field of shelf-stable foods with their innovative packaging technologies and stabilization processes are Ameriqual, Sopakco, Wornick and MREStar.

As Napoleon Bonaparte observed, “an army travels on its stomach,” an acknowledgement that soldiers need food that sustains them not only physically, but keeps their morale up as well. From 1775, when colonial soldiers had to forage for some of their own provisions, through World Wars I and II, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam, a need to reduce the weight of field loads moved the military food from heavier cans to dehydrated meals with up to 24 entrees, even Kosher and vegetarian selections. Each of the MRE meals provides about 1,200 calories and is self-heating.

Ameriqual Group services not only the US Department of Defense, but major branded food companies as well, producing a full range of flexible and semi-rigid containers for these companies’ use.

In addition to aiding troops stationed overseas, Sopakco has long worked with the government to bring MRE meals to areas devastated by natural disasters, including the millions of Texas victims of Hurricane Ike.

The largest supplier of individual and group rations to the U.S. and international troops, the Wornick Company also supplies MRE to humanitarian and disaster relief agencies

MREstar services private organizations around the world, as well as supplying emergency rations for the DoD/DLA, Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia.

Meals Ready to Eat are also available for civilian use, in military surplus, camping and outdoor stores. The U.S. Government and the Red Cross both advise families to have the resources to survive 72 hours after an emergency situation or natural disaster which makes MRE meals, with their long shelf life, a great choice. Backpackers and campers purchase them because they are easy to carry and to prepare. Why pack a stove if you don’t have to?

Thanks to companies like Ameriqual, Sopakco, Wornick and MREstar, these convenient and portable MRE meals, which were once nicknamed “Mr. E” (mystery) “meals rejected by the enemy” and “meals rarely edible,” soldiers and civilians alike can choose from such entrees as pasta with marinara sauce, chicken and dumplings or beef stew, side dishes like applesauce, snacks, and beverages including lemonade and fruit punch.

As good as home cooking? Pretty darn close. Do you think you could tell the difference? Browse through this site to learn more about the innovative ways MRE meals may soon find their way to your dinner table! And click on the right to compare prices and get the best deal possible!

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MRE meals, when it pays to be prepared

by admin on October 30, 2009

In 1975, MRE Meals were adopted as the Department of Defense military ration packs. MRE survival food is a complete totally self-contained meal package. The packaging is designed to withstand exposure to any weather conditions. Inside each case are twelve ration packs that include main entrees as well as a variety of other foods, and beverages.

Ameriqual, Wornick, and MREStar are a few of the trusted names of emergency food manufacturers. These are all American companies who have been in the business of providing ready to eat survival foods for decades. The factories are FDA approved and USDA inspected following strict guidelines to meet the highest quality standards and sanitation regulations.

The MRE meals in the Sopakco 12 ration pack are ready to eat, and do not require water added to the survival meals. The food for survival is packaged in vacuum-sealed bags, and pre-cooked in huge pressure-cookers by the manufacturer. Ration packs are fully cooked and can be eaten immediately.

There is a main entrée, vegetable side dish, cracker or bread with spread such as cheese, peanut butter, and jelly. Dessert choices included in the vacuum-sealed pouches are cookies, cakes, and candy. Beverage choices are powder drinks, cocoa, coffee, and tea. Flameless ration heaters are included in some MRE meals. Accessories included with the emergency food are a utensil, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, and toilet paper.

I did promise to divulge the least favorite dish served in MRE meals voted on by consumers. It would have to be the veggie omelet that has received the most thumbs down. Military ready to eat foods and freeze-dried food are a great choice for disaster relief, camping, hunting, hiking, boating, and other outdoor activities where cooking facilities are not available.

MRE foods provide an average of 1,250 calories and protein, fat, and carbohydrates making up one third of the recommended daily allowance of essential minerals and vitamins. The military meals ready to eat can be consumed without aid of cooking or heating. Just add water to the drink mixes.

It is safe to eat the entrees and side dishes cold or you can heat the survival food with the included ration heater or by boiling in water. MRE meals are designed to have a shelf life of three years when stored properly. Storage times can be shortened or extended depending on the storage room temperatures. It pays to be prepared!

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