Survival Food - Freeze Dried & MRE

The Pros and Cons of Civilian and Military MREs

By Timothy Dalton

Meals ready to eat are getting to be a very popular option for people wanting to stock up their emergency disaster kits. And why not? If it is good enough for the U.S. military to feed the soldiers in the field, it should be good enough for civilians as well. However, the problem is that military MREs aren’t available for commercial resale to the public. However, that hasn’t stopped cases of military MREs from appearing for sale online or in army surplus stores. Obviously, if there is a demand for the stuff, people will supply it.

Seeing as how there is a demand for MREs for the general public, manufacturers are also producing a civilian version of these convenient meals. The question is, how do civilian MREs compare with military MREs? The answer is, there is not much of a difference. After all, it’s the same companies who supply the U.S. military with their MREs. They are just expanding their market to civilians.

While military MREs go through more stringent testing with their packaging requirements, you also have to realize that they are made to withstand parachute drops and extreme ranges of temperature. You have to ask yourself, do you really need to drop your food from at an altitude of thousands of feet? Or go through minus temperatures or extreme heat? If the answer is no, then you don’t need military MREs.

You might also be wondering about the caloric differences between the civilian version and the military version. While it is true that military meals average about 1200 calories each, the civilian versions are not far off at 1000 calories. This is for one individual package. If you have one for each of your three meals, you’ll be consuming 3000 calories for the day which is more than enough for even an active male individual.

Civilian MREs are a good choice for the public as there really is no need to go all out with a military version. In fact, when you buy civilian MREs, you will probably be getting a better quality product because you don’t know where the military MRE came from or how it was stored since it wasn’t purchased from a direct source.

Those are the pros and cons for military and civilian MREs. Whichever MRE version you choose, it is always a good idea to keep a case in the house for emergency situations.

Timothy Dalton is a freelance writer who is also an outdoor enthusiast. Visit the following links for military mre meals and civilian mre meals.

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The Shelf Life of Long Term Food Storage Items

By Frank Salvo

There are four main factors that determine the shelf life of your long term food storage items. If you are looking to start a food storage program for your family, or you already have one, you will want to be aware of these things in order to get the maximum shelf life possible.

The four factors are as follows. The temperature of the storage area, the moisture content of the food, the atmosphere in the storage container, and the storage container itself. Let’s look at each of those factors.

1) Temperature of the Storage Area

Temperature has more to do with how long storable food will last than anything else. If you are planning on storing your food in a warm environment, it will only last a fraction of the time it would last in a cool, dry place. Some feel that the optimum temperature is 40 degrees F or less. However, not everyone will be able to achieve that. Another factor is that you have a place where the temperature is relatively constant. Frequent temperature changes can also shorten the life of storable food.

Remember to choose a cool, dry, dark place, where the temperature remains relatively constant, for storing your food.

2) Moisture Content of the Food

Foods with excess moisture can spoil in their containers. Food chosen for long term storage should have a moisture content of 10% or less. This is hard to achieve because most people don’t have access to specialized equipment.

An alternative is to get freeze-dried food, which has been specially-prepared for this purpose. The moisture content of these foods has been taken care of in the preparation process.

3) Atmosphere in the Storage Container

Oxygen oxidizes many of the compounds in food, so foods packed in air in storage containers will not store as well as Nitrogen, which is a popular gas for storing food, and one that works very well.

Some people use oxygen absorber packets. You simply place one in the storage container and seal. When you use these, you must have a storage container that is able to withstand some vacuum pressure. This is because the absorber packet will create a slight vacuum as it absorbs the oxygen.

Most food units that are packaged and sold for long term food storage have been packed with nitrogen in the #10 cans.

4) The Storage Container

Storage containers should have a hermetic seal (air tight) in order to get the longest life out of your stored foods. #10 Cans and sealable food-grade storage buckets work very well for this.

You must make certain that the storage containers you use are food grade containers. #10 cans that are used for food storage often have an enamel lining for this purpose. You can also buy plastic food-grade 5 gallon buckets.

If you buy a commercially-prepared food unit with #10 cans, then the second, third, and fourth factors are already addressed for you. In order to satisfy the first factor, you will still want to store the food in a cool, dry, dark place.

If you decide to buy plastic buckets, add the food, and seal them yourself, you will need to rent a nitrogen cylinder to fill the airspace in the buckets. When you do this, the oxygen will be displaced leaving only the nitrogen. Again, make sure that you purchase food-grade quality buckets. This is very important.

Remember these things when purchasing or creating a supply of long term storable food for your family.

Frank Salvo has been involved in food storage and emergency preparedness for the past 20 years. To learn more about these topics, please visit: http://www.freezedriedsurvivalfood.com.

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Backup Plan For Emergency Supply of Water

By Joseph Parish

I recently found myself in a very significant discussion with a new survivalist who was greatly disturbed about not having an adequate supply of food and water. We sat and discussed an assortment of ways to accumulate survival foods and the diverse types of foods at his disposal for use in his emergency kits. Finally we began discussing his necessary water resources.

He acknowledged that the few bottles which he managed to purchase and store developed problems. It appears that he stores his emergency provisions in a metal backyard shed. During the winter of 2008 he had several store bought gallon containers of water freeze up on him. Naturally this caused the containers to split open creating quite a mess. In addition, I reminded him that in the summer time he also risks evaporation of his water in his storage shed.

Anyone who is familiar with me knows that I personally like to have backup plans in effect for any situation which I may be placed in. That also embraces my water storage as well. I don’t have 50 gallon barrels available to store my water in for an emergency. In that case I have to do the next best thing. In my emergency food room you will find some 5 gallon bottles of water, several cases of gallon jugs of sealed water and an abundance of individual bottled water containers.

I fully realize that this is not a sufficient supply by any stretch of the imagination but as I said I like backup plans, In addition to my ready water supply, I keep a large quantity of water purification tables readily available as well as several gallons of household unscented bleach.

Although this may look fine at first glance it really isn’t. I still do not have nearly enough water for emergencies. In view of this lack of water I decided to do the following. I keep a large supply of empty 2 liter plastic soda bottles in my garage. These stored two liter drink bottles work well for a number of survival uses, water being only one of them. Many people claim that water could be left in these bottles for as much as 10 years however, I will not take that chance with the safety of my family. I store these bottles empty. When storing plastic bottles check to make certain that they are not brittle or on the verge of deteriorating. Always save the caps that go on the bottles as well.

At the first notification of a possible emergency I quickly pull out the boxes of empty bottles and wash them well. Next I fill each of them up with fresh water. If the emergency does not materialize as predicted then it is no major problem. I merely use the bottled water that I made for my plants or for cooking. This is an excellent plan if you do not have space to store a lot of emergency water and I have found it excellent for supplementing my store bought supply.

Copyright @ 2009 Joseph Parish

http://www.survival-training.info

For more information relating to survival visit us at http://www.survival-training.info

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 MRE Meals - Stock Up in Case of Emergency
By Catherine Bormant

If your husband was in the service during the 80s, you might be hard pressed to get him to try MRE meals! The MRE survival food of today is not only designed for emergencies but it tastes good as well! The best solution is to order a variety pack and bring it along as camping food. When your family discovers that freeze dried meals do not mean tasteless, they will wonder if maybe they should listen to Mom more often!

The problem seen some time ago was the ration packs would either not have been completely dried at the manufacture or the package drew in moist air. These problems have been taken care of and you are assured of a quality product with MRE foods today. The meals, ready to eat are sealed and guaranteed fresh with a shelf life of decades.

In light of today’s economy and the uncertainty we all face about the future it is a good idea to be prepared. Stock up on emergency food for your family’s sake and that will be a worry off your mind. I can share with you from personal experience that after a natural disaster, the first step to recovery is safety and the second step is food for survival. When your electricity is out for days, a military MRE with its self-heating pouch saves the day!

Everyone has heard horror stories of eating army rations in days gone by. I believe that is why Tabasco sauce became so popular in drowning the MRE meals! Now days, companies such as MREStar and Ameriqual offer freeze dried food that you would be happy to serve your family in times of emergency. It is also great backpacking food on camping trips when it is not feasible to cook and clean up afterwards.

MRE meals contain hearty entrees such as chicken ala king, spaghetti with meat sauce, and beef stew with rice. There are breakfast MREs and even dessert! The MRE manufacturer, Sopakco, provides fully prepared, nutritious, shelf stable meals that are ready to eat when life is interrupted by an emergency. The military meals are your best defense in survival preparation.

All MRE meals are ready to eat, meet daily nutritional requirements, and have a shelf life of up to four years or longer. Put a disaster plan in action by visiting us at http://www.mremeals.org/ to stock up for emergencies! Our site includes information, features, reviews, and we offer the best deals available on survival food!

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H1N1 Flu Preparedness For Businesses - 8 Practical Tips For Business Survival

By Rachel Willson

H1N1 flu preparedness is becoming and extremely important part of any company’s business continuation plan. With some estimates ranging 35% to 40% absenteeism rates, companies must make plans to modify the way they work.

Businesses will be hit with a double whammy as far as their operations are impacted by the flu. Their employees make come down with it but far more will have children that contract the disease and will require adult home care. Single parents in particular could require extended time at home if their children are infected.

Smart businesses will do the following:

• Dust off the existing business continuity plan and see if it is appropriate for a flu pandemic.
• Identify those tasks that can be accomplished through telecommuting and insure that sufficient support is available to support it.
• Cross train critical positions.
• Examine existing personnel policies on sick days and personal time off to see if it is adequate for the situation. Make adjustments as required.
• Stockpile critical material. Suppliers will not be immune to this disease any more than you are. If their staff is hit hard deliveries of goods and services may be interrupted.
• If a business relies heavily on outsourcing, check with the vendors to insure they have a plan to accommodate the H1N1 pandemic. If you’re not satisfied with the plans, line up alternative vendors.
• Communicate the plan to your employees so they can make their own plans on how to handle the outbreak at the family level. Talk up general preventive measures and encourage employees to practice them.
• Stock up on sanitizing gel, spay and soaps and encourage their use at work particularly in common areas like copiers, lunch rooms, faxes and supply areas.

In a sense, planning for this flu outbreak is very similar to earthquake or hurricane preparedness. The time to plan is now. The time to encourage employees to plan is now. The vaccine will not be available until mid October and most of your staff will not be eligible to get it anyhow.

A well prepared business will have a distinctive competitive edge during this flu season.

Are your employees prepared? Can they answer these simple questions?

Did you know that a family of four has an 80 percent chance of having a member be infected with swine flu? Do you have a plan to provide for care if a kid can’t go to school? Did you know that vaccinations will be rationed due to a shortage of supply?

If not, the company may want to get the answers to these and other questions go to http://swineflu911.info.

Still don’t think this flu is serious? Watch this video on kids with flu.

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Washington Post Article this Morning Preparing for Swine Flu’s Return

But many experts suspect the second wave could be more severe than an average flu season, which hospitalizes an estimated 200,000 Americans and contributes to 36,000 deaths. Because the virus is new, most people are not immune to it.

Well, I guess since Obama is visiting Mexico to talk about Swine Flu among other things and they had to write something ominous and menacing to take advantage.

If you are sceptical about swine flu news stories that is understandable.

On the other hand it does not hurt to be prepared.

Nitro-pak has lowered pricing on the following food reserves;

• Ultimate Pak  (204 #10 cans) - Now $3998 (was $4275)

• Platinum Reserve (168 #10 cans) - Now $2998 (was $3375)

These are mixed survival food reserves mostly Mountain House freeze dried entrees and sides with some bulk oats and staples.

Freeze dried food prices increased in August 2008 when supplies were in shortage situation after heavy purchases as the price of oil went up to $140 per barrel. Freeze dried food supply eased temporarily then tightened again in October 2008 due to the global collapse of financial markets. Since then the supply has eased except for a few weeks in May 2009 due to H1N1 pandemic scare.

It seems now supply is good and prices are coming down as fear and concern over the economy has subsided.

I made this short video comparing freeze dried food and MRE.

Key points are MRE is more expensive but more mobile.

MRE is good for the short term, 2-3 week food reserve, but Mountain House #10 cans which can store up to 25-30 years are cheaper and taste better.

Saw this article in Los Angeles Times today;

Swine flu goes to camp. Will it go to school next?

Hundreds of children have been sent home from summer camps across Southern California in recent weeks with flu-like symptoms, and camp counselors and directors are taking precautions to prevent the spread of the H1N1, or swine flu, virus….

UC campuses are stockpiling supplies, from paper masks and hand sanitizer to food and water. Officials are going over worst-case scenarios ….

Ironically some summer camps choose to send the children suffering from mild flu symtoms home thus taking a concentrated infection group and spreading it out.

Swine flu has not had much of a serious impact yet,  other than imminent shortages of flu vaccine this fall.

Here is a great practical find for survival food on a tight budget.