Jul 29 2008
Earthquake Preparedness Means MRE
For the same reasons as hurricanes, and a few more, the best Earthquake preparedness food is MRE.
MRE (meals ready to eat) or military rations are just that – ready to eat. They are a complete meal with no water needed to prepare.
Most importantly they can be heated with “flameless” ration heaters which is much safer than using an open flame or other cooking equipment after an earthquake.
Since you may not have utilities for weeks in some areas after an earthquake it is much more convenient to have ready to eat meals for this period.
Since you can buy MRE in 12 meal cases with 6 different meals in each case, the variety offered makes them a better choice.
MRE is not the tastiest food and some people have difficulty digesting them so I don’t recommend using MRE as a survival food longer than 3 weeks at a time. This however is hopefully much longer than you will need an emergency food reserve after an earthquake.
According to Nitro-pak, each of their MRE’s typically include;
- Soda type crackers and a spread, like cheese, peanut butter
or jelly as an appetizer - A main course entree, like beef steak, chicken & noodles, turkey breast, etc.
- A complementing side dish like fruit, rice, soup or potatoes
- Some type of dessert, snack or candy
- An accessory packet which includes: matches, spoon, wet wipe, salt, pepper,
coffee and sweetener (some may include an alternative beverage powdered
drink, too). - Military versions also include a mini roll of toilet tissue.
MRE lasts 5-7 years if stored in cool place below 80 degrees fahrenheit.
If you store a few cases in a basement, it would be best to have them under a table near an external door that you can break down if need be. That way you can access the MRE meals after an earthquake.
Three places you can order MRE online;
Nitro-Pak
The ReadyStore
Amazon
.
