Each individual MRE meal kit contains approximately 1200 calories and 1/3 of the military’s recommended amount of vitamins and minerals. It is important to note that the average citizen will not require the suggested 3 MRE meals a day to keep them sustained, particularly if they are not burning excessive calories. Depending on storage temperatures, the average shelf life for an MRE is 11 years.

MRE menus have come a long way from their humble beginnings in the 1970’s. Each year, the military reviews and refreshes the menu with new items.  Military MRE cases come in Menu A and Menu B with 12 meals in each case.  In total, there are 24 different meals, including 4 vegetarian meals, to choose from. This range of menu items is bound to please even the most picky eater as it is the military's wish that its servicemen and women are well nourished while on duty.

Each MRE comes with an entrée, a side dish, bread or crackers with an accompanying jelly or spread, dessert, candy, hot and cold beverages, hot sauce or seasoning, an accessories packet, and a flameless ration heater. 2010 entrees vary from chicken pesto and pasta to cheese tortellini.

Although everything in an MRE pack can be eaten cold and right out of the individual pouches, it is highly recommended to take advantage of the flameless ration heater, as it enhances the flavor of the food. All that is required to heat your MRE is a small amount of water. This causes an environmentally friendly chemical reaction inside the pouch, causing the temperature of the water to rise rapidly, heating the food in 12 minutes.

If you are interested in MRE meals, you can purchase them online.  Below are auction items where you can buy military MRE cases at discount prices.

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 56 Servings    US $119.95

MREs---2012--6 Cases--72 Meals--The REAL DEAL--FREE SHIPPING East of MISS .River    US $405.99

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #15 BEEF ENCHILADA    US $4.95

3 Military MRE Meals (8)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (9)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (10)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (11)    US $16.95

3 MRE MEALS MENU # 14,17,15    US $9.95

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #14 (VEGETARIAN) VEGTABLE    US $4.95

11 Complete MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) MREs Military Army MRE    US $55.00

new mre 12 meals    US $37.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $75.99

MRE Box Menu "B" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $55.99

(2) Military "MRE" Meals    US $64.00

2 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $90.00

4 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $165.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat individual year of 2013    US $55.99

2 Cases 24 Meals Fresh Genuine Military Ready to Eat MRE Menu 2013 + Bonus MEAL    US $199.99

12 Cases 144 Meal MRE Rations Military 2013 FRESHEST w/ Bonus Meals Fast Ship    US $1,059.99

2 case's of MRE'a Test Date 9/2013 GOOD THROUGH 2021    US $90.03

3 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack; Foreign Travel, Hiking.    US $14.99

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat depend on stored temperature    US $55.99

5 ~ US MILITARY MRE MEALS READY TO EAT ARMY NAVY FOOD HIKING    US $14.99

5 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack; Foreign Travel Hiking    US $19.99

MILITARY MRE CHEESE TORTELLINI TOMATO SAUCE VEGETARIAN    US $3.00

4 MREs Military Menu 11 12 15 19 NEW IN PACKAGES Army Meals NIP Beef Lot    US $54.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 1    US $13.50

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 2    US $39.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 3    US $12.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 4    US $14.99

2 FACTORY SEALED MILITARY MRE CASES "A&B" 8/2013 CURRENT ISSUE FRESHEST ON EBAY    US $149.95

MRE 6 MILITARY FRESH A PACK MEALS EXP/ 2/14    US $25.00

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs Case    US $50.95

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 84 Servings    US $165.95

MRE Entrees Camping Survival Food, Yellow & Wild Rice    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Pears    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Spiced Apple    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Fig Bar    US $1.99

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT SEASONED BEEF PATY, BEEF PATTY GRILLED,MAC & CHEE    US $5.50

Long Term Food Wise Food 56 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $99.00

MRE MILITARY MEAL READY TO EAT LOT SLOPPY JOE, VEGETABLE PATTY IN BBQ SAUCE    US $1.29

MRE MEALS MENU # 11,17,19    US $20.00

MRE MEALS MENU # 13, 14, 16    US $18.95

Long Term Food Wise Food 60 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $104.00

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 1    US $20.00

Military MRE lot, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs 07/2013 Case FRESH!! 2    US $20.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE RASPBERRY APPLESAUCE    US $2.00

MRE dinner THAI Chicken mre dinner full sealed Meal Ready to Eat package    US $1.99

MRE dinner GRILLED Chicken mre dinner full sealed Meal Ready to Eat package    US $1.99

Meals Ready To Eat~MRE's~BEEF ENTRES~FRESH~Emergency Survival Food~Camping,Hike    US $29.99

lot of 6 assorted MRE's backpacking camping food freeze dried new FREE SHIPPING    US $30.92

MRE MRE'S SIDE ITEM MASHED POTATOES SURVIVAL EMERGENCY FOOD CAMPING    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S CHICKEN NOODLES & VEGETABLES ENTREE    US $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DESSERT BERRY COBBLER CAMPING SURVIVAL EMERGENCY MEAL FOOD    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE SLOPPY JOE FILLING    US $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S BAKED SNACK CRACKERS    US $1.50

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE ITEM MEXICAN RICE    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE WESTERN & REFRIED BEANS    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SNACK POTATO STICKS EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD    US $1.50

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SNACK PEANUTS & RAISINS    US $1.25

8lbs Freeze Dried WHOLE EGGS Long Term Food Storage- Equal to 4 #10 Augason Cans    US $68.90

16lbs Freeze Dried WHOLE EGGS Long Term Food Storage- Equal to 8 #10 Cans    US $130.00

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 56 Servings    US $119.95

MREs---2012--6 Cases--72 Meals--The REAL DEAL--FREE SHIPPING East of MISS .River    US $405.99

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #15 BEEF ENCHILADA    US $4.95

3 Military MRE Meals (8)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (9)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (10)    US $16.95

3 Military MRE Meals (11)    US $16.95

POWDERED BUTTER POWDER ~REALBUTTER~ Emergency Survival Food A #10 CAN LDS    US $29.49

POWDERED BUTTER POWDER ~REAL BUTTER~ Emergency Survival food 6 #10 Cans LDS    US $124.99

3 MRE MEALS MENU # 14,17,15    US $9.95

MRE - MILITARY MEAL #14 (VEGETARIAN) VEGTABLE    US $4.95

11 Complete MRE (Meal Ready To Eat) MREs Military Army MRE    US $55.00

new mre 12 meals    US $37.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $75.99

MRE's Main Entrees, Sides and Desserts ( 130 items)    US $56.00

Sure-pack mre meals    US $45.00

MRE Box Menu "B" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $55.99

Wise Long Term Food Storage, MRE, 60 Servings of a Variety of Meats Freeze Dried    US $140.00

(2) Military "MRE" Meals    US $64.00

Miitary MRE Case meals 1-24    US $80.00

2 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $90.00

4 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $165.00

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat individual year of 2013    US $55.99

MRE    US $60.00

MRE case A    US $70.00

MRE (2 ) CASES A-PACK MEALS 24 MEALS FRESH 2/2014 EXP.    US $82.00

Emergency Food Supply 1 Year -720 Serving MRE FREE GIFT    US $1,295.00

2 Cases 24 Meals Fresh Genuine Military Ready to Eat MRE Menu 2013 + Bonus MEAL    US $199.99

12 Cases 144 Meal MRE Rations Military 2013 FRESHEST w/ Bonus Meals Fast Ship    US $1,059.99

2 case's of MRE'a Test Date 9/2013 GOOD THROUGH 2021    US $90.03

3 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack; Foreign Travel, Hiking.    US $14.99

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat depend on stored temperature    US $55.99

5 ~ US MILITARY MRE MEALS READY TO EAT ARMY NAVY FOOD HIKING    US $14.99

3 Individual MRE Breakfast Variety Pack Lot; Emergency Survival Food    US $12.00

**7 Day Supply MRE Drink Mixes; Fruit Punch, Strawberry, Lemonade, etc.....    US $8.99

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Dinner Entrees; Hiking, Camping, Hunting    US $26.00

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Peanut Butter Condiment Packs    US $6.99

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack Lot; Emergency    US $21.00

7 Day Supply of MRE (Meal Ready to Eat) Cheese Spread Condiment Pack    US $7.99

7 Day Supply of MRE Dinner Entrees; Emergency Survival Fill Your Bug Out Bag!!!    US $26.00

12oz Can Red Feather Pure Creamery Butter Made in New Zealand; MRE Food Storage    US $14.99

Wise Long Term Food Storage, MRE, 1 Month food supply, entree only, Freeze Dried    US $110.00

Wise Long Term Food Storage, MRE, 1 Month food supply 4 Big Eaters, Freeze Dried    US $165.00

Wise Long Term Food Storage, MRE, 1 Month Food Supply,Freeze Dried    US $110.00

MRE Survival Food 360 Serving GrabNGo Bucket Freeze Dried Long Term Food Storage    US $670.00

5 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack; Foreign Travel Hiking    US $19.99

MILITARY MRE CHEESE TORTELLINI TOMATO SAUCE VEGETARIAN    US $3.00

Wise Long Term Food Storage, MRE, 1 Month food supply, Big Eaters, Freeze Dried    US $165.00

4 MREs Military Menu 11 12 15 19 NEW IN PACKAGES Army Meals NIP Beef Lot    US $54.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 1    US $13.50

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 2    US $39.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 3    US $12.99

Military MRE LRP Long Range Patrol Lot 4    US $14.99

MRE Meals Ready to Eat You Choose Your Meal from Cases A & B Menus 1-24    US $32.00

2 FACTORY SEALED MILITARY MRE CASES "A&B" 8/2013 CURRENT ISSUE FRESHEST ON EBAY    US $149.95

MRE A-PACK MEALS ( 2 ) CASES 24 MEALS FRESH 2/2014 EXP.    US $65.95

Salsa Seeds In Can Garden Preparedness Canned YUM    US $52.80

MRE 6 MILITARY FRESH A PACK MEALS EXP/ 2/14    US $25.00

Here is a list of the military 2010 MRE menu.

01  Chili w/ Beans

02 Pork Rib

03 Beef Ravioli

04 Maple Sausage

05 Mediterranean Chicken

06 Chicken w/ Noodles

07 Beef Brisket

08 Meatballs w/ Marinara Sauce

09 Beef Stew

10 Chili and Macaroni

11 Vegetable Lasagna

12 Veggie Burger w/ BBQ Sauce

13 Cheese Tortellini

14 Spicy Penne Pasta w/ Vegetarian Sausage

15 Southwest Beef & Black Beans

16 Chicken Fajita

17 Sloppy Joe

18 Beef Patty

19 Beef Roast w/ Vegetables

20 Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce

21 Tuna

22 Chicken and Dumplings

23 Chicken Pesto Pasta

24 Buffalo Chicken

Most people are woefully ignorant in gathering emergency supplies they need beyond having a first aid kit in their house.  When you are stuck in your house for days on end, make sure you have at least enough food and water available for each member of your household in the first 72 hours. You might think that is not a big deal since you probably have enough food to last you for 3 days but consider that in a power outage, the food can go bad.  How will you cook the food?  In a flood, the food can also spoil if it is kept in the basement.

This is why MRE meals ready to eat are ideal to have as emergency food ration packs since they were originally designed for the military.  After Hurricane Katrina, people realized how important it is to stock up on emergency meals that are self contained and ready to eat.

Wise freeze dried dehydrated survival food 1080 serving    US $1,995.00

Wise foods long term emergency survival foods 720 serv    US $1,295.00

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 56 Servings    US $119.95

NEW Mountain House Mix Menu Case S 6 #10 Cans Freeze Dried    US $150.99

NEW Mountain House Mix Menu Case T 6 #10 Cans Freeze Dried    US $130.99

NEW Mountain House Mix Menu Case U 6 #10 Cans Freeze Dried    US $120.99

NEW Mountain House Mix Menu Case V 6 #10 Cans Freeze Dried    US $124.99

Outdoor Camping Cast Iron 6 Piece Pc Cookware Set NEW    US $79.99

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE DRIED GROUND BEEF- SIX - #10 CANS    US $319.99

new mre 12 meals    US $37.00

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE DRIED HAM DICES- SIX - #10 CANS    US $359.99

Powdered Eggs Can - Freeze Dried Dehydrated Survival Food    US $27.92

Powdered Eggs Case (6 cans) - Freeze Dried Dehydrated Survival Food    US $124.90

MRE Box Menu "A" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $75.99

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE DRIED ROAST BEEF- SIX - #10 CANS    US $329.99

MRE Box Menu "B" Sealed Ready To Eat mres survival food    US $55.99

2 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $90.00

4 boxes MRE Star Brand new    US $165.00

2 case's of MRE'a Test Date 9/2013 GOOD THROUGH 2021    US $90.03

3 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Entrees Variety Pack; Foreign Travel, Hiking.    US $14.99

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE DRIED CHOPPED CHICKEN SIX#10 CANS    US $299.99

5 ~ US MILITARY MRE MEALS READY TO EAT ARMY NAVY FOOD HIKING    US $14.99

5 MRE Military (Meal Ready to Eat) Breakfast Variety Pack; Foreign Travel Hiking    US $19.99

12 Military MRE Entrees, Meals Ready to Eat, MREs Case    US $50.95

Wise Emergency Meals, Freeze Dried Food - 84 Servings    US $165.95

MRE Entrees Camping Survival Food, Yellow & Wild Rice    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Pears    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Spiced Apple    US $2.95

MRE Snack Dessert Camping Survival Food, Fig Bar    US $1.99

Long Term Food Wise Food 56 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $99.00

Long Term Food Wise Food 60 Servings MRE Food Storage    US $104.00

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE DRIED PEACHES - TWO - #10 CANS    US $86.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE RASPBERRY APPLESAUCE    US $2.00

Meals Ready To Eat~MRE's~BEEF ENTRES~FRESH~Emergency Survival Food~Camping,Hike    US $29.99

Emergency Survival Food Mountain House #10 cans - Chili Macaroni with Beef    US $30.09

lot of 6 assorted MRE's backpacking camping food freeze dried new FREE SHIPPING    US $30.92

MRE MRE'S SIDE ITEM MASHED POTATOES SURVIVAL EMERGENCY FOOD CAMPING    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DESSERT BERRY COBBLER CAMPING SURVIVAL EMERGENCY MEAL FOOD    US $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SNACK POTATO STICKS EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD    US $1.50

Hand Held Wheat Grinder Victorio Emergency Food    US $78.29

Freeze Dried-Mountain House Mac & Cheese 6 #10 cans    US $167.94

Olive Drab Mess Utensil Set with Sheath: FREE SHIPPING!    US $11.95

SHELF RELIANCE FREEZE D MANDARIN ORANGE- TWO - #10 CANS    US $72.99

SHELF RELIANCE APPLE CHIPS - TWO - #10 CANS    US $52.99

MRE Military Menu No 19 Beef Roast with Vegetables 11/2012 Inspection Date    US $9.99

Military MRE Menu No 18 Beef Patty 11/2012 Inspection Date    US $10.49

TWO Super Fresh MRE Case's (Test Date 9/13)    US $84.00

12 month dehydrated foods survival emergency food 10 pp    US $12,999.95

Emergency Survival Food Storage Vegetable Kit 6 - #10 CANS 269 servings + Onions    US $97.99

Eco Fuel Heat Cell Cooking Kit Canned Cooker Camping **    US $17.95

Freeze Dried-Mountain House-Chicken Teriyaki w/ Rice-6 #10 cans    US $179.94

Swiss Advance Feather-Light Swiss Knife Pink    US $9.90

WHOLE POWDERED EGGS EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD~50 LBS    US $262.99

Wise Food Storage 12 month freeze dried dehydrated 1440    US $2,395.00

Emergency Food Gluten Free Complete Meal Pack 1,187 Total SERVINGS 18 - #10 CANS    US $289.99

2 #10 CANS~ POWDERED WHOLE EGGS A GREAT SAVINGS!    US $52.47

3 #10 CANS POWDERED WHOLE EGGS ~ (1/2 CASE) EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD STORAGE LDS    US $74.12

TWO Super Fresh MRE Case's (Test Date 3/13)    US $99.50

New Coleman Instant Grill Stove Camping Cooking Outdoor    US $129.99

Military MRE Menu No 9 Beef Stew 11/2012 Inspection Date Survival Food    US $10.49

Of course, it doesn’t need to be an emergency for you to enjoy a MRE.  Some people actually like the convenience of these packages when they have nothing else available in the house.  They are also great to take along as camping meals, backpacking food, or mountain house food when you are out in the wilderness.  Manufacturers now are clueing in on the demand of civilian MREs for such occasions.  Taste wise, meals ready to eat are quite palatable.  New menus are out every year and each MRE is really a full meal that generally contains the following items: main course, side dish, dessert, cracker or bread along with the spread, powdered mix for drink, utensils, flameless ration heater and other eating accessories.

It really is a wise decision to buy MRE packs and keep a few cases on hand.  The uses for these are multiple as stated but it all comes down to providing sustenance in a time of need and saving lives.