During America's Civil War, military foods were typically canned goods. Later, A Civil War soldier's usual daily allotment included canned meat, bread, dried vegetables, salt pork, sugar, salt, pepper, vinegar, candles, soap, and coffee. Today, soldiers appreciate accessories such as the much-loved Tabasco sauce used to spice up MRE foods.
Survival food menus and preparation has changed considerably over the years. Recipe examples of military MRE food for survival found in the 1861 Military Handbook include how to cook meat, soup, and salt pork with mashed peas for feeding a small army. Now days, companies such as Ameriqual, Sopakco, and MREStar manufacture military MREs, as well as civilian meals, ready to eat.
The MRE manufacturer Sopakco offers a twelve pack, which will soon be offered in redesigned colorful boxes. Included with each selection:
- Entre
- Vegetable
- Dessert
- Beverage
- Bread or crackers with spread
- Condiments including coffee, sugar, creamer, moist towelette, and utensil
It may be hard to imagine now, if you just polished off a box of donuts, but the availability of survival food is nothing to joke about when your family has missed a meal or two! One of the first comforts we seek after making sure our families are not injured after a man-made or natural disaster is food for survival. September is National Disaster Preparedness Month and the Red Cross urges everyone to store enough food-stockpiled meals to feed your family for at least several days.
A concern of many individuals who stock up on military MRE meals is that the freeze-dried food may spoil. There is no need to worry, the ration packs last for a minimal three years but have been known to last as many as twenty years. The entrees include a variety of choices to provide much needed nutrition during disasters.
When disaster strikes, stockpiled cases of MRE meals become real lifesavers. These emergency meals do not require electricity to cook or even a can opener to open!