Freeze dried camping meals and MRE packs are a complete individual meal designed to meet your nutritional needs after strenuous physical activity.  Whether you prefer freeze dried food or MRE meals, there are advantages to both.

If you buy military MREs, you know that they have met the most stringent of tests in terms of field readiness.   Military MREs also contain flameless ration heaters that just require water activation so you can enjoy a hot meal without the need of a camp fire.  With civilian MREs, the FRH is optional on some packages and they are generally more expensive too averaging seven to eight dollars per meal.  Camping freeze dried food pouches on the other hand average four to five dollars a meal.  Obviously, in both instances if you buy in bulk MRE cases or freeze dried food cans, this will reduce the overall cost.  Another advantage for freeze dried food is that it weighs less than MREs.

FREEZE DRIED STRAWBERRIES Survival Food Fruit #10 Can $26.75 Time Remaining: 14d 8h 14m Buy It Now for only: $26.75

Shelf Reliance 2,471 SERVINGS Dehydrated & Freeze-dried Food with Cookbook $684.50 Time Remaining: 5h 8m Buy It Now for only: $782.99

2 lbs Freeze Dried Lean Meat Beef- Long Term Protein Food Storage- WHOLESALE $62.00 Time Remaining: 16d 23h 26m Buy It Now for only: $62.00

Vegetable Variety Bucket 320 Servings Freeze Dried long-term survival camp food $114.14 Time Remaining: 10h 3m

WISE LONG TERM FOOD STORAGE FREEZE DRIED MRE 60 SERVING MEAT PROTEIN PREPPERS $125.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 58m Buy It Now for only: $125.00

300 Total Servings of Freeze-Dried Fruit Kit Variety Pail Food Survival Supplies $160.10 Time Remaining: 6h 27m

2 lbs Freeze Dried Lean Chicken Meat- Long Term Protein Food Storage- WHOLESALE $66.00 Time Remaining: 15d 22h 35m Buy It Now for only: $66.00

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs w/Bacon 2-Serving Entree Freeze Dried Camping Food $7.09 Time Remaining: 12d 17h 9m Buy It Now for only: $7.09

WISE 404 SERVINGS FREEZE DRIED FOOD MEAT RICE ENTREES BREAKFAST FRUIT VEGETABLES $543.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 3m

Dehydrated Freeze dried BANANAS Emergency Survival Food A #10 Can $18.49 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 10m Buy It Now for only: $18.49

Freeze Dried Long Term Food Storage - 56 Servings - Survival Food, Camping $67.00 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 22h 17m

A #10 Can of Powdered Eggs Survival Food Freeze Dried $26.97 Time Remaining: 22d 9h 55m Buy It Now for only: $26.97

1lb Freeze Dried Chicken & Beef- Each Vacuum Packed in (4) 4oz Bug Out Bags $66.00 Time Remaining: 29d 14h Buy It Now for only: $66.00

Wise Survival Food Long Term Food Storage 56 Servings Freeze Dried Food $99.00 Time Remaining: 10h 8m

Mountain House Ice Cream Sandwich 1-Serving Dessert Freeze Dried Camping Food $4.39 Time Remaining: 13d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $4.39

6 Long Range Patrol rations Mre - new er style Freeze dried $51.02 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 12h 39m

* Ready Project Emergency Food Storage Freeze Dried Fruit Bucket - 300 servings $149.79 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 4m Buy It Now for only: $149.79

6 Cans of Mountain House - Beef Stew - Freeze-Dried - Emergency Food Storage- $212.94 Time Remaining: 15h 26m Buy It Now for only: $234.99

Augason Farms Freeze Dried Whole Strawberries Non-GMO for Backpacking & Camping $12.99 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 43m Buy It Now for only: $12.99

6 Gallons Instant Powdered Milk Freeze Dried Free Ship $24.01 Time Remaining: 15d 11h 19m Buy It Now for only: $24.01

STROGANOFF FOOD POUCH WISE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FREEZE DRIED MEAL BUG OUT BAG $3.25 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 4d 19h 57m

One #10 Can Peanut Butter Powder Emergency Food Storage Powdered Freeze Dried $22.27 Time Remaining: 27d 14h 10m Buy It Now for only: $22.27

WISE FOODS FREEZE DRIED FOOD 60 ENTREES SERVINGS LONG TERM FOOD STORAGE BUCKET $109.00 Time Remaining: 10h 8m

#10 Can Freeze Dried Sweet Potatoes Emergency Survival Food Storage Dehydrated $25.94 Time Remaining: 12h 7m Buy It Now for only: $25.94

Augason Farms Freeze Dried Whole Blueberries for Backpacking & Camping $16.99 Time Remaining: 25d 21h 56m Buy It Now for only: $16.99

6 Cans Of Mountain House Rice & Chicken - #10 Can- Freeze Dried -Emergency Food $149.99 Time Remaining: 13h 52m Buy It Now for only: $167.94

MOUNTAIN HOUSE PILOT CRACKERS BREAD 6 #10 CANS EMERGENCY FREEZE DRIED FOOD $119.99 Time Remaining: 17d 12h 24m Buy It Now for only: $119.99

6 Cans of Mountain House Beef Stroganoff - Freeze Dried Food - #10 Can - 1 Case $173.99 Time Remaining: 13h 45m Buy It Now for only: $193.99

VEGETABLE STEW BULK Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food 388 serving bucket $99.99 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 35m Buy It Now for only: $99.99

WISE FOODS FREEZE DRIED FOOD 60 MEAT SERVINGS EMERGENCY LONG TERM FOOD STORAGE $125.00 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 30m

#10 CAN POWDER PEANUT BUTTER POWDERED SURVIVAL EMERGENCY FOOD FREEZE DRIED $21.59 Time Remaining: 22d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $21.59

WISE FOODS FREEZE DRIED FOOD 56 SERVINGS LONG TERM FOOD STORAGE BUCKET $99.00 Time Remaining: 5d 11h 49m Buy It Now for only: $99.00

Wise Survival Food Long Term Food Storage 56 Servings Freeze Dried Food $99.00 Time Remaining: 18h 27m

* Ready Project Emergency Food Storage Freeze Dried Vegetables - 320 servings $109.00 Time Remaining: 7d 18h 4m Buy It Now for only: $109.00

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS FREEZE DRIED FOOD SUPPLY 84 SERVINGS EMERGENCY FOOD $150.00 Time Remaining: 11h 40m

Mountain House Neopolitan Ice Cream 1-Serving Dessert Freeze Dried Camping Food $4.49 Time Remaining: 13d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $4.49

Mountain House Scrambled Eggs w/Ham 2-Serving Entree Freeze Dried Camping Food $7.09 Time Remaining: 14d 18h 35m Buy It Now for only: $7.09

6ea. #10 Cans of Freeze Dried Food - Mountain House Spaghetti in #10 Can $155.99 Time Remaining: 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $175.94

Ready Project Freeze Dried Fruit Emergency Food Storage - 150 servings $86.89 Time Remaining: 14d 18h 11m Buy It Now for only: $86.89

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS FREEZE DRIED FOOD SUPPLY 360 MEAT SERVINGS EMERGENCY FOOD $678.00 Time Remaining: 11h 40m

NEW Mountain House Mix Most Popular Menu Case R 6 #10 Cans Freeze Dried $146.99 Time Remaining: 18d 16h 35m Buy It Now for only: $146.99

6 Cans Of Mountain House Chili Mac with Beef - #10 Can- Freeze Dried - 1 Case $164.94 Time Remaining: 13h 42m Buy It Now for only: $184.94

FREEZE DRIED APPLES Survival Food Fruit #10 Can LDS $31.99 Time Remaining: 14d 7h 50m Buy It Now for only: $31.99

60 Entree Only Grab & Go Freeze Dried Survival Food MRE $109.00 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 6m Buy It Now for only: $109.00

3ea. #10 Cans of Freeze Dried Food - Mountain House Spaghetti in #10 Can $83.97 Time Remaining: 16h 26m Buy It Now for only: $93.97

Can Freeze Dried Carrots Dehydrated Survival Food LDS $24.47 Time Remaining: 10d 12h 23m Buy It Now for only: $24.47

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS FREEZE DRIED FOOD SUPPLY 56 SERVINGS EMERGENCY FOOD $99.00 Time Remaining: 11h 40m

Wise Food 60 Srv Meat & Poultry Emergency Survival Freeze Dried Food Bucket MRE $125.00 Time Remaining: 20d 10h 41m Buy It Now for only: $125.00

Mountain House Macaroni & Cheese 2-Serving Entree Freeze Dried Camping Food $9.39 Time Remaining: 9d 16h 53m Buy It Now for only: $9.39

6 Cans Of Mountain House Vegetable Stew with Beef - #10 Can - Freeze Dried $185.99 Time Remaining: 13h 55m Buy It Now for only: $205.94

FREEZE DRIED VEG. BLEND~ CORN, PEAS, CRROTS, TOMATOS, RED PEPPERS SURVIVAL FOOD $29.59 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 59m Buy It Now for only: $29.59

Survival Emergency Freeze Dried Raspberries 1.6 lbs 160 Servings - New Food Line $119.95 Time Remaining: 18h 36m Buy It Now for only: $131.95

THRIVE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL Food Freeze Dried Dijon Chicken Twin Pack $95.99 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 42m Buy It Now for only: $95.99

3 Cans of Mountain House Diced Chicken Cooked - Freeze Dried - #10 Can $157.17 Time Remaining: 16h 20m Buy It Now for only: $177.97

2 pk Augason Farms Freeze-Dried Chicken Fettucine Alfredo Emergency Storage Food $45.99 Time Remaining: 15d 18h 26m Buy It Now for only: $45.99

Wise Food 60 Serving Gourmet Freeze Dry Meat Supply $125.00 Time Remaining: 29d 13h 14m Buy It Now for only: $125.00

Wise Survival Food Long Term Food Storage 56 Servings Freeze Dried Food $99.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 38m

Mountain House Freeze Dried Emergency Food 10 Entree 20 Servings $69.99 Time Remaining: 22d 17h 5m Buy It Now for only: $69.99

6 #10 Cans of Mountain House Raspberry Crumble - 1 Case - Freeze Dried $153.54 Time Remaining: 14h 1m Buy It Now for only: $169.99

A #10 Can of Freeze Dried Sausage Meat Survival Food $45.88 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 38m Buy It Now for only: $45.88

There has also been some debate on which tastes better, freeze dried food or MRE meals ready to eat.  Obviously, this is up to personal tastes – literally.  The process of freeze drying food does preserve the taste very well and rehydrating it with water makes it a hearty meal.  And while there have been jokes at the expense of MRE meals with respect to taste, both the military version and the civilian version are always making new menus to style to accommodate their clients.  This also includes providing vegetarian meals and Kosher/Halal MRE meals.

There are many positives to freeze dried food for camping or MRE camping meals.  In both instances, you’re getting a convenient ready to eat meal.  Moreover, there are also other advantages such as keeping these food rations in stock for emergency food supplies.  Freeze dried food has a greater shelf life than MREs but if you’re going camping, hiking or backpacking often, you’ll undoubtedly need to restock no matter what camping food you pick.

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.

US Military: 'Main Course' LRP Rations - Survival Emergency Food! $42.00 Time Remaining: 7d 10h 14m Buy It Now for only: $42.00

HUGE lot of MREs Vegetarian, Chili Mac SURVIVAL FOOD CAMPING MILITARY MRE Sealed $20.49 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 20h 22m

US Military Long Range Patrol 'LRP' Rations - Survival Emergency Food! $40.00 Time Remaining: 8d 11h 57m Buy It Now for only: $40.00

New Military LRP Rations: 'Chili Mac w/ Beef' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 46m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

MRE Accessory Packages military flashlight Datrex food bars survival emergency $2.36 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 17m

New Military LRP Rations: 'Seafood Cowder' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 23m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

US Military: 'Scrambled Eggs w/ Bacon' food rations - LRP Cold Weather! $132.00 Time Remaining: 13d 7h 15m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $15.99 Time Remaining: 3d 19h 59m Buy It Now for only: $24.99

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Powder Bibimbap ① $6.99 Time Remaining: 13d 9h 5m Buy It Now for only: $6.99

US Military: 'Mexican Rice & Chicken' food rations - 1 case LRP Cold Weather! $132.00 Time Remaining: 13d 12h 38m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

Korean Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Bibimbap 5 packs $29.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 48m

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Bibimbap 1 packs $7.99 Time Remaining: 9h 51m Buy It Now for only: $7.99

New Military LRP Rations: 'Western Eggs with Ham' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 27m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Bibimbap 4 packs $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 9h 38m

MILITARY MRE MRE'S CORNBREAD SNACK BREAD EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $1.25 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 11m Buy It Now for only: $1.25

MILITARY MRE MRE'S JELLY JAMS APPLE GRAPE BERRY EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 9m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $21.99 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 16m Buy It Now for only: $29.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE CHILI & MACARONI CHILI MAC SURVIVAL FOOD EMERGENCY $3.00 Time Remaining: 7d 12h 41m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

Korean Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Bibimbap 5 packs $29.99 Time Remaining: 10d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $29.99

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 16m Buy It Now for only: $24.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE CHICKEN FAJITA MEAL FOOD CAMP $3.00 Time Remaining: 4d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE CORNBREAD STUFFING EMERGENCY FOOD MEAL SURVIVAL CAMPING $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 46m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $14.99 Time Remaining: 2d 22h 21m Buy It Now for only: $24.99

New Military LRP Rations: 'Beef Stew' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 11m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE CHICKEN TETRAZZINI EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD $3.00 Time Remaining: 7d 19h 16m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE CHILI WITH BEANS EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $3.00 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

New Korean Military Outdoor Hiking Combat Emergency Food C Ration MRE Bibimbap ① $6.99 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 50m

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE FRIED RICE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 54m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S CHICKEN PESTO PASTA CAMPING SURVIVAL FOOD EMERGENCY HUNTING $3.00 Time Remaining: 8d 19h 52m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Bibimbap 1 packs $7.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 34m

New Military LRP Rations: 'Spicy Oriental Chicken' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 27m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SNACK GRANOLA EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 2m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $5.99 Time Remaining: 5d 58m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

New Military LRP Rations: 'Chicken & Rice' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 55m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DRINK MIX LEMONADE SUGAR FREE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD $1.25 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $1.25

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 1m Buy It Now for only: $12.99

Military MRE, Spicy Penne Pasta VEGETARIAN Menu 17, Survival Food $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h Buy It Now for only: $7.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DRINK MIX IRISH CREAM CAPPUCCINO EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD $1.50 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 16m Buy It Now for only: $1.50

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 5m Buy It Now for only: $12.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE PINEAPPLE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 4m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DESSERT OATMEAL COOKIE EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 18m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 9m Buy It Now for only: $12.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S ENTREE VEGETABLE LASAGNA EMERGENCY FOOD SURVIVAL CAMPING $3.00 Time Remaining: 9d 22h 59m Buy It Now for only: $3.00

MILITARY MRE MRE'S SIDE PEARS EMERGENCY SURVIVAL CAMPING FOOD $2.00 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 6m Buy It Now for only: $2.00

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 34m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

Military Outdoor Emergency Rice Food Combat C Ration MRE Beef Bibimbap 4 packs $24.99 Time Remaining: 9h 47m Buy It Now for only: $24.99

MILITARY MRE MRE'S DRINK MIX CHOCOLATE HAZELNUT COCOA EMERGENCY SURVIVAL FOOD $1.50 Time Remaining: 8d 21h 12m Buy It Now for only: $1.50

MRE, Meal Ready to Eat, Meals, Food, Camping, Military, Brand New, Freeze Dried $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 13h 39m Buy It Now for only: $9.99

New Military LRP Rations: 'Turkey Tetrazzini' - 1 Full Case Survival Food! $132.00 Time Remaining: 14d 16h 18m Buy It Now for only: $132.00

Military MRE, Cheese Tortellini Menu 13, Survival Food, Meal Ready To Eat $7.99 Time Remaining: 5d 19h Buy It Now for only: $7.99

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.