HAS ANYONE RATED STORABLE FOODS, MRE'S???

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Does anyone recommend a reputable source that has rated the different brands of storable foods (i.e. Mountain House, Alpine Aire, Nitro-Pak)? How do the MRE's rate? I have looked into some of these storable foods and most of them sell the basics like freeze-dried peas, corn, diced potatos, powdered milk, biscuit mix, etc. for about $15-25 per #10 can. Sounds kind of expensive, even though they claim these cans have a 10 year plus shelf life. Has anyone really tried them all? Are there any websites that list ratings?

-- foodie (searching@fish.net), November 18, 1999

Answers

foodie,

I"m hearing warnings from heavy pro-prepared folks to stay away from what you described. They claim it is too late and odds of receiving it in time slim. That doesn't mean this or that company can't meet the order in time but one really takes a big risk. It's also possible one will need it before the end of the year. Are you seeing these in person on a shelf you can purchase and walk out the door with?

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), November 18, 1999.


There's an incomplete discussion of MRE's and FRS radios at:

www.cloudrunner.com/Y2K

Jolly

-- Jollyprez (jolly@prez.com), November 18, 1999.


foodie

My girlfriends and I've tested those brands you mentioned. We bought small pouches /cans and shared together. The vote is anonymous. AlpineAire freeze-dried has the best taste and varieties to choose from. Most important since 3 of us have kids, we also let them try the different samples. They too like Alpine best except for one kid who only likes junk food!

Also, it's true it's a bit late to order them thru most companies. But my mom just bot Alpine last week from this discount company and it only took 1-2 weeks from time of order. Try this email hth@earthlink.net. My mom got a 15% off for a 1 month premium system. I bought a 6 months system and some canned food and grain in buckets. Good luck.



-- Marie (mary@prepared.com), November 18, 1999.

I bought MREs at Cheaper Than Dirt--entrees only. Comes to about $2 each if you buy in quantity. I also have protein bars (Ironman) from the health food store. The rest is mostly canned food from the grocery.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 18, 1999.

I've eaten MREs. I'd hate to subsist on a steady diet of them, but they're OK. Very low in fiber. The chewing gum that comes with them contains a laxative.

I like the freeze dried foods you mentioned better & they're more compact, but awfully expensive.

The core of my food storage program is: wheat, rice, corn, beans & sprouting seeds. Cheap. Long shelf life. No refrigeration required. When I say rice, I mean polished white rice. Brown rice has higher nutrient content, but also has a higher oil content, which makes it susceptible to oxidation.

-- Not Whistlin' Dixie (not_whistlin_dixie@yahoo.com), November 18, 1999.



I recently received a mailer from the company I purchased food from. I paid full price 8 months ago, now they are having a buy-one-get-one-free sale. These items are cases of dried foods, pwd milk, pwd cheese sauce, veggies, soups, potatoes, bread mixes, cake and cookie mixes, etc. I have not tried everything I purchased, but what I did try was good food.

If you know of anyone who could use cases, not individual cans, you might want to call 'em and see what shipping time is. My guess is, if they're having a two-for-one sale, they're slow.

They are called Life Source Foods, div. of TOVA industries 1-888-532-8682 x113

IF YOU LIVE IN CHICAGO AND CANNOT WAIT, there are stores in our area called GFS for Gordon Food Service. They sell restaurant supplies and bulk foods. You can get Excellent potatoes called "Excel" potato pearls. They cook up in the time it takes to boil water and are butter flavored. A small foil bag costs about 6 bucks and has 50 servings. they are excellent!--my daughter who is nine asks me to make 'em for her all the time. SInce they come in foil food service bags, the instructions on the bag are for making 50 servings, but you'll figure it out quick.

GFS also has LARGE bags of cereal, canned boned chicken, chili, big bags of flour, sugar, salt, big bags of rice, pasta and many other items. The beauty is...you can buy in large quantities and nobody thinks you're a tinfoil!

I have no affiliation with either of these stores, just tryin' to help you save time.

Best of luck

-- Dale (dale@spicreative.com), November 18, 1999.


Dollar for dollar, you are better off spending the $500-1,000 on store bought canned goods, rice, beans and pasta. It's getting too late to get preps together, some of us have been at it for 2 years or more and some feel like it's never done. Foods is going up, sales are getting harder and harder to come by and it's too late to become a penny pincher shopper. Water will be the biggest problem for most. You snooze you lose.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), November 18, 1999.

Just remember that MRE's has little fiber. It's well-known in the Army that if you eat this for a couple of weeks, you don't go to the bathroom. The Army designed it so the enemy can't track you down. You get the point. So, personally, I won't take MRE's for more than 3-4 days. In times when water is scarce and there is a greater chance of getting constipated, you need food with fiber. Also, know the difference between de-hydrated and freeze-dried food. Dehydrated has to add water and cook. When you have no power for a few days, it's depressing to have to cook.



-- Ray (ray@abc.com), November 18, 1999.

I guess it depends on if you like to cook or not. If the power goes off, I will find creative ways to turn SPAM into something tasty. No doubt fiber in the diet will be a problem. Load up on prunes for storage, they have a shelf life of over 1-1/2 years (bought some today, expires 6/01). Also, purchase some Metamucil, 1 tablespoon everyday will give you sufficient fiber in your diet. Keep a douche bag on hand in case an enema is needed, will help bring down a temperature too.

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), November 19, 1999.

Dates keep at LEAST as well and also provide fiber, and can become parts of some REALLY GREAT no-bake cookies.

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), November 19, 1999.



this will be brief... time is short...

i recommend you stick with the store bought, off the shelf foods both for familiarity and ready availability. orders placed now via mail MAY not be received in time.

to answer your question though... i purchased large quantities of dehydrated meats and freeze dried foods from mountainhouse in 1977 both in vacuum foil and #10 cans. the food is still in good shape as of this date but requires extensive rehydration and talent to male it palatable. it is still held in reserve as a base for stews and one pot type meals but, once again, is not palatable without lots of practice.

i would recommend, if your funds permit, to order what you want from mountainhouse or another reliable company and plan to use it to supplement your basic stockpile which should be on your shelves, in your basement, garage or bunker NOW. if you do not have this accomplished at this late date i think you should spend the weekend filling your larder. better yet... take a mental health day and start immediately. the concept of food storage sounds simple but actually requires extensive planning and considerable work.

-- clayton (ratchetass@hotmail.com), November 19, 1999.


A couple of tips from an old hand at eating MREs (and the Cs before them...)...supplement the MREs with sprouts or anything fresh whenever you can, and canned fruits and vegatables help in this regard. Have plenty of different condiments and gravies handy (that's why the Army put the Tabasco sauce in the package, and the freeze-dried ketchup too). There is an MRE cookbook. Buy fiber and vitamin supplements.You can get two meals out of an MRE...the entree-type stuff, and the crackers and jam/peanut butter/cheese will make up your lunch. The last time I was in the field (August) we had HEAVILY chlorinated drinking water (warm besides!). Tasted like your swimming pool. The drink mix will be invaluable in making water palatable. As was posted previously, now your are better off spending MOST of your $$ on canned goods, but MREs (do you really want them delivered?) add variety.

-- Mr. Mike (miekabn@aol.com), November 19, 1999.

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