Back in January I did a price comparison of cases of MRE. Below I have updated that comparison with today’s pricing. I used a Tampa Bay, FL zip code for 3 distributors that charged shipping costs depending on zip codes.

MRE is available now to order at these associated distributors;

• Nitro-Pak

• The ReadyStore

• Amazon.com

I thought it would be a good time review some MRE Brands.

The first Brand I will review is MRE Star.

Located in Hollywood, Florida MRE Star’s maker is International Meals Supply has been in the food industry for over 30 years.

All of their MREs are US made and their plants are USDA/FSIS, as well as FDA approved. They are a certified supplier of emergency rations for the DoD/DLA, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia.

They use fully automated equipment to produce a wide variety meal recipes. They operate 24/7 in emergency situations.

Their “M-018 12-MRE Full Case” has 12 complete MRE meals with an entree, side dish and more. There are is six different MRE entree varieties, 2 of each in each case. The six varieties are;

1. Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles
2. Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables
3. BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes
4. Chicken Noodle Stew with Vegetables
5. Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce
6. Vegetarian Chili with Beans

In addition to the Entree, each MRE meal comes with;

• 4.5 oz Side Dish (Apple sauce or fruit cocktail)
• 2 oz Raisins & Mix Nuts
• 2 oz Oatmeal Cookie
• Drink Mix (orange flavor)
• Accessory Pack (spoon, coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper, napkin, moist towel
• Optional: 12 flameless heaters individually packed

According to MRE Star’s website, “Each MRE has an average of 1,100-1,300 calories, which replicates the calorie count of a complete meal. There is no need to add water to an MRE.”

You can purchase MRE Star 12 meal MRE cases at Nitro-Pak. You can also get bulk order discounts there.

What is an FRH, a Flameless Ration Heater?

Convenience is the best advantage MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) has as a survival food.

This convenience is important in a crisis or mobile “on the go” situation. As the name implies MREs are really “ready to eat” no preparation or cooking required. However you may prefer to eat your main course hot as most people prefer a hot meal.

This is where MRE really shines. The military for years has included an FRH or Flameless Ration Heater with their MRE.

It is a plastic pouch that you can put your MRE into and heat in ten minutes by adding a little water.

How do Flameless Heaters work?

When iron rusts it is oxidizing, that is oxygen in the air is reacting with the metal to form an oxide commonly referred to as rust. This process produces heat. It is a slow process so you will not be able to fry an egg on the rusting hood of a car in the winter.

However if you have iron in the form of a fine grain powder and mix it with sodium, magnesium and then add a little water you have a fast reaction producing lots of heat in a small space. This will heat your MRE main course in 10 minutes.

It is important to note that you should not heat you MRE over an open flame as this will melt the container into the contents. The best way to heat MREs is with the flameless heaters.

Most distributors include the flameless heaters with the MRE they sell but check carefully that they are included. You can still eat MREs cold as they are already cooked and ready to eat, but there is nothing like a hot meal when you may be cold, wet, or injured. It will really lift the spirits of you and your family.

NEW Improved MRE’s for 2008:

The BEST just got better! The MRE business has been tough for some time with suppliers torn from one disaster to the next and with the war. Supplies have been short and selection has been terrible… until now. We have just contracted with a major MRE supplier to provide our customers with all FRESH component MRE’s and meals (not old scraped together surplus or 2 to 3 year old stock). Unlike some dealers who provide just 2 to 4 different entree choices, we provide SIX (6) DIFFERENT Premium meal entrees x 2! In Addition, everyone of our meals includes a MRE side dish! That’s an ADDED SAVINGS of up to $12 per case you would have to pay if you…….

MRE Information

MRE or “Meals Ready to eat” are military style food rations.

There are two categories of MRE, military MRE and commecial MRE.

Military meals ready to eat are made for the US military and the armed forces of other countries.

They are sometimes sold on eBay but there is risk there as the military considers this illegal as they want to discourage theft of their property. There is also risk as the age and storage conditions the MRE experienced before you bought it will be unknown  perhaps even to the seller.  Military MRE cased of 12 sell for as little as $40 on eBay ($3.33 per meal) which is less than $72 ($6 per meal) average case price of commercial MRE. Besides risk you should also consider shipping costs which online retailers may charge less than $15 where eBay  sellers sometimes charge a lot more for shipping and “handling”.

The main difference between military and commercial MRE (that is good commercial MRE from main brands such as Sopakco, MRE Star, aPack) is calories and sodium levels.

This 2 minute video shows you the difference in contents between Military and  Commercial MRE;

They choose an inferior commercial MRE package I do not recognize but the information is useful. The best source online for MRE information is mreinfo.com. There is great forum where people who love to talk about MRE exchange information and stories about MRE.

Military MRE has high sodium content as they are intended for short term on the go use. Military MRE has 1250 to 1300 calories whereas until recently commercial MREs had less. Some commercial MREs have only 700 calories.  MRE Star’s commercial MREs now have average of 1,100-1,300 calories.

Some reasons why they are a popular choice for survival food;

• MRE’s paks are a complete meal with main course, side dish, crackers with spread, dessert, and a powdered drink mix.
• MRE packs last 4-10 years depending on storage temperature, longer than most canned food.
• They are pre-cooked and in a pouch “ready to eat”, nothing needs to be added
• Usually you buy MRE with flameless heaters so you can eat your meal hot (cold is ok too)

Where to buy MREs

Military MRE is often sold against government regulations on eBay. Also if you go to a local military surplus shop it is likely they will have some. However there is some risk as the seller likely does not know the history of how the MRE was stored. Even if the military MRE has a date code in last year you still don’t know if it spent a couple months in the desert which use up most of it’s shelf life. Commercial MRE can likely be found at your local camping and outdoors shop.

Commercial MRE is available in 12 meal cases online. There is also bulk MRE pricing for pallet loads of MRE.\

Here are some online site that sell MRE;

Nitro-pak

TheReadyStore

Amazon.com

USAGE

You can best use MRE for emergency situations where you “are on the go” . Also if you do not want to waste time cooking or do not want the hassle of bring cooking equipment with you. MRE’s are the most convenient survival food choice.

MRE cost is about $6 per meal plus shipping for a case of 12. You can get discounts if you buy larger quantities.

There are often periods where MREs become unavailable due to being bought up by relief agencies dealing with a disaster. The price increases for awhile then goes back to about $6 meal or $72 per case.

Shipping is not included with most supplier if you order one case, but some will offer free shipping if the order is more than $100.

For a food reserve for periods longer than a week however, a “freeze dried food” reserve is better in terms of space and cost per meal. You will need water for freeze dried food which, although hydrates quickly, is nevertheless is not as “ready to eat”.

Pricing comparison of MRE cases of 12 meals

from various online retailers according to their websites as of Jan 24, 2008; Update Feb 26th – added Areyouprepared.com

***NOTE SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATE IN THE CHART AT BOTTOM

Nitro-Pak

Brand: MRE Star – 1 Case (12 Meals) of Full Meal Military Style MRE’s with Heaters

New, Fresh, MRE with a minimum shelf life of 5 years, and up to 130 months (10 + years, according to the manufactures specifications) if stored at 60 degrees F or lower

• Main Entree Dish, i.e., Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles, Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables,
  BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes, Chicken Noodle Stew with Garden Vegetables,
  Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce, Vegetarian Chili with Beans (or simular entrees).
• Military Side Dish, i.e. Apple Sauce or Fruit Cocktail
• Dessert, Military Oatmeal Cookie Bar
• Snack, Military Nut Raisin Mix
• Drink Mix, Military Flavored Powdered Mix
• Accessory Packet Includes: matches, military HD plastic spoon, napkin,
  wet wipe towelette, salt & pepper, coffee, creamer and sugar

Price $59.99

Heaters $10.50 (not included)

Shipping $12.00 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $ 82.49

******************************************

Meyers Custom Supply

Brand: SOPAKCO’s SURE-PAK 12 tm WITH Flameless Ration Heaters
12 mains, 12 sides, 12 dessert packs, 12 crackers, 12 spreads, 12 beverages, 12 coffees

Price $69.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $19.18 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $88.18

******************************************

Areyouprepared.com

Brand: SOPAKCO’s SURE-PAK 12 tm WITH Flameless Ration Heaters
12 mains, 12 sides, 12 dessert packs, 12 crackers, 12 spreads, 12 beverages, 12 coffees

Price $84.95

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $ 13.95 (Flat Ground Rate)

Total $ 98.80

******************************************

TheEpicenter.com

Sopakco SURE-PAK 12 MRE Full Case of 12, “MENU – B”, WITH factory packed heaters

Price $72.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $ 13.74 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $85.74

******************************************

MREdepot.com

Brand: MRE Star – 1 Case (12 Meals) of Full Meal Military Style MRE’s with HeatersNote* MRE Depot also has exclusive offer of “Menu C” higher calorie rations for $79.00 but I used the Menu price for an apples to apples comparison with the MRE suppliers here.

Price $64.95 (price updated Feb 28, 2008)

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $9.17 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $74.12

Each Meal has Main Entree PLUS;

- 4.5 oz Side Dish (Apple sauce or fruit cocktail)
- 2 oz Raisins & Mix Nuts
- 2 oz Oatmeal Cookie
- Drink Mix (orange flavor)
- Accessory Pack (spoon, coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper, napkin, moist towel
- Flameless Ration Heater

******************************************

MRE Foods.com

Brand: aPack™ case of 12 self heating MREs

Each case includes the following meals:
2 Beef Stew (1310 calories/meal)
2 Chicken Noodle (1180 calories/meal)
2 Chicken with Black Beans & Rice (1190 calories/meal)
2 Chicken Tetrazzini (1140 calories/meal)
2 Pasta with Vegetables (1150 calories/meal)
2 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (1310 calories/meal)

Each meal contains an MRE Entrée, Osmotic Raisin Pack, 2 of 3 (Cookie Pack, Fig Bar, and/or Toaster Pastry), Cracker, Peanut Butter or Cheese Spread, Sqwincher Beverage Base, Black Pepper, Wet Nap, Spoon, and Flameless Ration Heater.

Price $72.95

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $0.00 (*Free shipping on orders shipped to locations within the Continental US)

******************************************

Long Life Food Depot

Brand: unknown
1. Entree
2. Side Dish
3. Bakery Item
(Crackers or Bread)
4. Spread
(Jelly, Peanut Butter or Cheese Spread)
5. Dessert
(Cookies, Energy Bar, Cake or Fruit)
6. Beverage Base
7. Accessory Packet
(Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Salt,
Gum, Matches, Wet Nap, Long Handle Spoon)
8. MRE Heater Pouch

Price $82.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $0.00 (UPS ground to southern California, appears to be free)

***NOTE SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATE

Pricing comparison of MRE cases of 12 meals

from various online retailers according to their websites as of Jan 24, 2008; Update Feb 26th – added Areyouprepared.com
******************************************

Nitro-Pak

Brand: MRE Star – 1 Case (12 Meals) of Full Meal Military Style MRE’s with Heaters

New, Fresh, MRE with a minimum shelf life of 5 years, and up to 130 months (10 + years, according to the manufactures specifications) if stored at 60 degrees F or lower

• Main Entree Dish, i.e., Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles, Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables,
  BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes, Chicken Noodle Stew with Garden Vegetables,
  Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce, Vegetarian Chili with Beans (or simular entrees).
• Military Side Dish, i.e. Apple Sauce or Fruit Cocktail
• Dessert, Military Oatmeal Cookie Bar
• Snack, Military Nut Raisin Mix
• Drink Mix, Military Flavored Powdered Mix
• Accessory Packet Includes: matches, military HD plastic spoon, napkin,
  wet wipe towelette, salt & pepper, coffee, creamer and sugar

Price $59.99

Heaters $10.50 (not included)

Shipping $12.00 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $ 82.49

******************************************

Meyers Custom Supply

Brand: SOPAKCO’s SURE-PAK 12 tm WITH Flameless Ration Heaters
12 mains, 12 sides, 12 dessert packs, 12 crackers, 12 spreads, 12 beverages, 12 coffees

Price $69.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $19.18 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $88.18

******************************************

Areyouprepared.com

Brand: SOPAKCO’s SURE-PAK 12 tm WITH Flameless Ration Heaters
12 mains, 12 sides, 12 dessert packs, 12 crackers, 12 spreads, 12 beverages, 12 coffees

Price $84.95

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $ 13.95 (Flat Ground Rate)

Total $ 98.80

******************************************

TheEpicenter.com

Sopakco SURE-PAK 12 MRE Full Case of 12, “MENU – B”, WITH factory packed heaters

Price $72.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $ 13.74 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $85.74

******************************************

MREdepot.com

Brand: MRE Star – 1 Case (12 Meals) of Full Meal Military Style MRE’s with Heaters

Price $72.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $9.17 (UPS ground to southern California)

Total $81.17

Each Meal has Main Entree PLUS;

- 4.5 oz Side Dish (Apple sauce or fruit cocktail)
- 2 oz Raisins & Mix Nuts
- 2 oz Oatmeal Cookie
- Drink Mix (orange flavor)
- Accessory Pack (spoon, coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper, napkin, moist towel
- Flameless Ration Heater

******************************************

MRE Foods.com

Brand: aPack™ case of 12 self heating MREs

Each case includes the following meals:
2 Beef Stew (1310 calories/meal)
2 Chicken Noodle (1180 calories/meal)
2 Chicken with Black Beans & Rice (1190 calories/meal)
2 Chicken Tetrazzini (1140 calories/meal)
2 Pasta with Vegetables (1150 calories/meal)
2 Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (1310 calories/meal)

Each meal contains an MRE Entrée, Osmotic Raisin Pack, 2 of 3 (Cookie Pack, Fig Bar, and/or Toaster Pastry), Cracker, Peanut Butter or Cheese Spread, Sqwincher Beverage Base, Black Pepper, Wet Nap, Spoon, and Flameless Ration Heater.

Price $72.95

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $0.00 (*Free shipping on orders shipped to locations within the Continental US)

******************************************

Long Life Food Depot

Brand: unknown
1. Entree
2. Side Dish
3. Bakery Item
(Crackers or Bread)
4. Spread
(Jelly, Peanut Butter or Cheese Spread)
5. Dessert
(Cookies, Energy Bar, Cake or Fruit)
6. Beverage Base
7. Accessory Packet
(Coffee, Creamer, Sugar, Salt,
Gum, Matches, Wet Nap, Long Handle Spoon)
8. MRE Heater Pouch

Price $82.00

Heaters $0.00 (included)

Shipping $0.00 (UPS ground to southern California, appears to be free)