Long Life Food Depot

Long Life Food Depot Emergency MRE’s

Our Story: The Short Version

In 1980 our US military switched its entire food ration program over to an exciting new technology, the full moisture MRE pouch (the food within the pouch is not dried or freeze dried; it contains the full moisture of “just cooked” food).

In 1983, our company began, with a single clear purpose.

Having just discovered the versatile full moisture pouches of the military MRE ration program, we decided we would deliver these rations to American citizens for non-military uses. We would turn “swords into ploughshares” so to speak, by bringing military food rations, designed for war, to the public for a variety of civilian purposes- camping, hiking, emergency preparation and more.

We started and continue a smorgasbord for full moisture MRE pouches, with MRE Full Meals and various kits and combinations of MRE ration components. You can buy pieces by the pouch or the case.

Food For The Future

Humans don’t need much to get them to the future: Food, Water, Shelter and we are good.

We’ll help with the food. Our customers have the edge on survival with long shelf-life food on hand.

With our full moisture pouched food rations, our customers are equipped to brave the outdoors, survive emergencies and disasters, and prepare themselves for the future and all it might hold.

Our food is meant to help our customers be READY when regular food supplies are diminished or are inaccessible. These conditions may be brought on intentionally, by planning a trek through the Appalachians or camping out in the woods… Or, nature can impose with earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes or tornadoes… Or, the need for an extra food supply could be brought on by the world’s economic and political climate.

Whatever the cause, when the short shelf-life food isn’t around, you will be ready with our long shelf-life, full moisture food. Our MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) will be ready and waiting to get you through the rough times, so you and yours can make it to the future.

MRE Full Meals

The MRE Full Meal is still the most cleverly designed, user-friendly feeding solution for emergencies and roughing-it situations – satisfying and energy-rich combinations of ready-to-eat meals and accessories.  Long Life Food Depot has made this ever-evolving meal kit our focus for over 32 years!

In one easy-to-rip-open bag, you get enough caloric energy and nutrients for almost a whole day, and enough food variety and taste to remind you of home-cooked meals when none are around.  Stay tuned while we bring you all the pieces and packing choices we can find!

What are MREs?

In 1980 the U.S. Military followed the lead of the U.S. Space Program in recognizing the workability of a brand new food technology. They used it to totally overhaul their food ration program.

They started putting servings of meat, vegetables and fruit into RETORT POUCH instead of the familiar tins cans that had been used for more than 50 years.

The big difference was the TASTE. But look at what else these new MRE pouches offered then, and offer now:

– Shelf Life of 3-10 years.

– Not Freeze Dried or otherwise Dehydrated! Full moisture, gravy and sauce are retained in natural form.

– Ready to Eat. Hot in 5 minutes with boiling water (contaminated and/or dirty water can work for boiling if used carefully) or 10 minutes with one of our Flameless Heater Pouches.

– The food can be eaten cold in an emergency (contents were fully cooked in the sealed pouch!).

– Specially formulated for maximum nutrition (an average of 55% meat compared with 35% normally, for the meat main dishes, for example).

You can purchase from us the MRE Full Meal or the individual pieces that make up the meals!

Try some of these MRE pouches to see if they aren’t the best tasting, most convenient, long-lasting outdoor and emergency foods available!

How long do MRE products last – what is their Shelf Life?

MRE products last from 3-5 years from the date of purchase if the products are stored in a room temperature environment (70 deg. F), regardless of the production date.

Of course, the production date is visible on all our entrees and on most side dishes, desserts, and other components

The production date is a four digit number (date code) on each item, example “5156.” In this example the 5 represents the year 2005 (a “4” would represent 2004, etc.), the 156 represents the 156th day of the year. See the top of the individual box or look on pouch for the Date Code.

The official MRE Shelf Life Chart, created by the Army’s Natick Research Lab, gives the whole picture and explains why we are prepared to guarantee our products for 5 years from date of sale. It is clear that the wholesomeness of the products extends well beyond 5 years. 

How do you Heat an MRE?

One of the great advantages of the MRE is that it CAN be eaten cold, straight out of the package, with no prepartion whatsoever. In fact, U. S. soldiers and thousands of Emergency Relief workers around the world have eaten cold MREs in tough situations, and received the nutrition they needed. MREs have served their purpose well with no reheating in personal, family, and city or state emergencies (earthquakes, toxic spills, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, floods,etc.).

However, anyone will tell you that MREs taste their BEST when they are heated up. In most situations, there is time and opportunity to heat this food. Here are the best ways:

1) Boiling for 3-5 mins.: take the pouch from outer carton and place it in clean boiling water heated from available sources: fire, heating tabs, or stoves.

2) Placing next to a non-liquid heat source: radiator, engine block, or even the human body. Be careful of burning or melting the pouch if kept on the heat source for too long or if the heat source is too hot.

3) Placing in a chemical, non-flame heater.

4) Microwave 2-3 min. after removing from the pouch. (The pouch contains an aluminum, non-microwaveable layer which gives the pouch such a long shelf life).