When building an emergency food supply, most will agree that MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) are an essential component.
By understanding the basics of Patriot MRE food kits, such as their nutritional composition, storage solutions, and overall quality, you can effectively equip your family for disaster preparedness.
In this article, we'll explore Patriot MRE food essentials, evaluating leading brands, components of these kits, their shelf life, and how to build your own customized supply to meet your household's unique needs.
Introduction to Patriot MRE Food Essentials
Patriot MRE food kits provide complete nutrition and long shelf life, making them an essential component of any emergency preparedness plan. As the name suggests, Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are prepackaged, long-lasting meals designed for use in disasters when access to fresh food may be limited.
Understanding the Significance of MREs in Disaster Preparedness
When a disaster strikes, regular food supply chains can be disrupted. Grocery stores may be closed, deliveries halted, and power outages can spoil refrigerated or frozen foods. Having a supply of MREs ensures you have a reliable food source during an emergency when you may not be able to shop normally for days or even weeks.
Patriot MREs are specially formulated to have a shelf life of 5-10 years. The pouched meals stay fresh and nutritious over time, making them ideal for an emergency food supply. Storing Patriot MRE kits allows you to be fully prepared with food reserves in case catastrophe hits.
Components of a Patriot MRE Food Kit
A Patriot MRE kit contains pouched entrees, sides, snacks, and drinks to meet one person's recommended daily caloric intake.
Typical components include:
- Breakfast entrees like eggs, bacon, oatmeal
- Lunch and dinner entrees such as chili, chicken pasta primavera
- Sides like rice, beans, potatoes, vegetables
- Snacks like trail mix, crackers, cookies
- Powdered drinks like lemonade, coffee, tea
The self-contained pouches make the meals easy to store, transport and prepare. Just add water and heat.
Meeting Nutritional Requirements with Patriot MREs
Patriot MREs are designed to deliver balanced nutrition with 2000+ calories per day. The meals provide energy and protein from whole food ingredients to support health.
The convenient pouches contain familiar, tasty foods like pasta, eggs, and chicken. Patriot MREs deliver complete nutrition so you can maintain strength during a disaster.
Taste and Variety of Patriot MRE Foods
One concern with emergency food is that taste or variety may suffer. However, Patriot MRE kits offer popular, appetizing options like chili mac, chicken fajita pasta, or biscuits and gravy.
The meals come in resealable pouches, so you can space out portions or save some for later. With multiple breakfast, lunch, and dinner entrees plus sides and snacks, Patriot MREs provide diverse meal choices for long-term emergencies.
Longevity and Storage Solutions for Patriot MRE Kits
With a 5-10 year shelf life, Patriot MRE pouches retain both nutrition and taste over time when properly stored. The sealed pouches protect the food from moisture, light, and oxygen to prevent spoiling.
Storing your Patriot MRE kit in a cool, dark place like a basement or root cellar will ensure maximum freshness. With their long shelf life and easy storage, Patriot MRE food kits let you be fully prepared with emergency food reserves for years into the future.
What is the shelf life of Patriot Supply MRE?
Patriot Supply MREs are designed to have an exceptionally long shelf life. According to the manufacturer, their emergency food kits have a shelf life of up to 25 years when stored properly.
Here are some key things to know about the shelf life of Patriot Supply MREs:
- The pouched foods are nitrogen flushed and vacuum sealed to remove oxygen. This prevents oxidation and helps food stay fresh for decades.
- The meals contain preservatives to prevent spoilage and inhibit mold growth.
- Proper storage is vital. Storing the sealed MRE pouches in a cool, dark, and dry place optimizes shelf life. Storage at temperatures between 60-70°F is ideal.
With a 25 year shelf life, Patriot Supply MREs lead the industry. This exceptional longevity makes them a reliable emergency food supply that you can depend on to be there when you need it, even decades down the road. Properly stored, these nutritious meals could feasibly sustain a family through an extended crisis event.
Who owns My Patriot Supply Company?
My Patriot Supply is co-founded by Matt Redhawk, an entrepreneur with years of experience in emergency preparedness and survival products.
Based on public information, key details about My Patriot Supply's ownership include:
- Founded in 2008 by Matt Redhawk and business partner. Their goal was to provide quality survival food and emergency supplies.
- Headquartered in Utah, USA. Main warehouse and operations facility located there.
- Privately-owned company, no public information on other investors or stakeholders.
- Matt Redhawk continues to be active in daily operations as co-founder. He leads business development, marketing, and strategy.
In summary, My Patriot Supply is a privately-held company co-founded by survivalist Matt Redhawk over a decade ago. He remains an owner and active leader in the business today.
How long does Patriot pantry food last?
Patriot pantry food is designed to have an exceptionally long shelf life. Most Patriot pantry meals and ingredients can last up to 25 years when stored properly.
This extended shelf life is achieved through freeze-drying and nitrogen flushing. Freeze-drying removes the water content from foods, preventing bacteria growth and spoilage. Nitrogen flushing displaces oxygen from pouches, further deterring spoilage. The pouches also block light exposure.
With a 25-year shelf life, Patriot pantry foods essentially last indefinitely for emergency preparedness purposes. The taste and nutritional value remain intact over decades in storage. So you can stock up on tasty stews, pastas, drinks and more - and rest assured it'll be there when you need it.
Having long-lasting food reserves provides crucial peace of mind. Patriot pantry kits allow you to be ready for disasters, power outages, or other emergencies that could disrupt normal access to food.
With the ability to last 25+ years, Patriot pantry meals are a reliable and delicious way to ensure your family's emergency preparedness. The extended shelf life gives you time to rotate stock as needed. And you can rely on great-tasting meals whenever you decide to crack open a pouch.
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How long are Patriot meals good for?
Patriot MRE meals are designed to last up to 25 years when properly stored. The key to ensuring maximum shelf life is protecting your food from heat, air, and moisture exposure.
Here are some tips to extend the shelf life of your Patriot MREs:
- Store pouches in a cool, dry place with temperatures below 75°F. Temperature fluctuations can impact shelf life.
- Avoid storing near heat sources like furnaces, ovens, or direct sunlight which can accelerate food spoilage.
- Seal pouches tightly after opening and remove excess air before resealing. Oxygen causes oxidation which leads to faster food deterioration.
- Inspect pouches periodically for signs of puffiness, discoloration, leaks, or foul odors which may indicate spoilage.
- Use storage containers like food grade plastic bins or Mylar bags to protect food in case of flooding or leaks.
With proper storage, Patriot MREs can realistically last 10-15 years. But the 25 year shelf life ensures that even if storage conditions are less than ideal, your emergency food supply will remain intact when you need it most.
The bottom line is that regular inspection and ideal storage conditions give you the best chance of getting the full shelf life from your Patriot Supply meals.
Evaluating Top Patriot MRE Food Brands
When preparing for an emergency, having a reliable food supply is essential. Patriot MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat) are designed specifically for disasters and survival situations. Here we explore some of the top patriot MRE brands on the market.
My Patriot Supply: A Leader in Emergency Food Solutions
My Patriot Supply is one of the most trusted names in emergency and survival preparedness. Their food kits are engineered to last 25 years and provide reliable nutrition when you need it most.
My Patriot Supply's meals are packaged in durable, resealable pouches that support a long shelf life. Their patriot pantry line offers breakfasts, entrees, fruits, vegetables, and more - totaling over 2,000 calories per day. With tasty food that's easy to prepare, My Patriot Supply has earned a reputation for high-quality emergency rations.
4Patriots Survival Food Kits: Convenience and Durability
4Patriots creates grab-and-go pouches intended to last 25 years without compromising quality or nutrition. These patriot MREs deliver full meals conveniently packed to save space.
4Patriots pouches come sealed in heavy-duty packaging constructed to handle extreme conditions. The meals inside provide a hearty source of calories and essential nutrients. With easy preparation and long shelf stability, 4Patriots offers an convenient emergency food option.
Ready Hour Emergency Food Supply: Bulk Options for Preparedness
For those looking to stock up on a bulk supply of emergency food, Ready Hour delivers. They offer affordable pricing on patriot MREs packed in large buckets or totes.
Ready Hour's meals feature a diverse menu to provide nutrition, calories, and variety over both short and long-haul events. Their food kits rotate through breakfasts, lunches, dinners, fruits, veggies, and more. With tasty flavors and easy preparation, Ready Hour's bulk MREs check the boxes for an emergency food stash.
Mountain House Meals: Gourmet Options for Survival Food
Known for great taste, Mountain House has earned a reputation for gourmet flavors in their MRE pouches. While a bit more expensive, Mountain House offers exceptional quality with easy preparation.
Mountain House meals feature a 30 year shelf life for long-term emergency readiness. Their pouches make preparing a hot meal simple, just requiring water. Mountain House offers more flavor and texture variety than typical survival food.
Building Your Own Patriot MRE Food Supply
With some planning, you can create a custom emergency food supply to meet your household's unique needs. Here are some tips for building your own Patriot MRE stockpile.
Calculating 2000 Calories a Day for Sustained Energy
When building your emergency food supply, it's important to calculate the daily caloric needs for each member of your household. The average adult requires around 2,000 calories per day to maintain energy levels. However, needs can vary depending on age, health conditions, activity level, and the expected duration of the emergency situation.
To determine the right calorie count, make a list of household members and their key attributes. For children, account for their lower caloric needs. For seniors, factor in any dietary restrictions or health issues. If strenuous activity is expected during a crisis scenario, plan for higher calorie counts to account for extra exertion.
Once you've calculated target calories for each person, multiply by the number of days you aim to be prepared for. This gives you the total calorie supply needed. When shopping for patriot MRE pouches, check nutritional facts to ensure your selection provides complete, balanced nutrition within your calorie budget.
Selecting Individual MRE Pouches for Customized Meals
Rather than buying full patriot MRE kits, consider purchasing individual pouches so you can customize based on your household's tastes and dietary needs. For example, purchase more breakfast and lunch options versus heavier dinner entrees to better align with how your family eats.
Prioritize nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. Seek out low-sodium and reduced-sugar options whenever possible. Accommodate vegetarians, food allergies, religious restrictions, and health conditions like diabetes or celiac disease.
Building fully customized MRE kits allows you to ensure that every member of your family has nutritional needs met and enjoys the meals provided during an emergency. Check companies like My Patriot Supply and 4Patriots for individual MRE pouch options.
Ensuring Proper Storage for Optimal Shelf Life
To get the most value from your patriot MRE supply investment, proper storage is key. Keep pouches in a cool, dark place like a basement or interior closet. Temperature and light exposure are the two biggest factors impacting shelf life. Stored properly, MREs can retain optimal flavor and nutritional potency for 5-10 years.
Monitor your stock and implement a "first in, first out" system to rotate older pouches to the front. Check best-by dates periodically and set calendar reminders to use pouches by a certain date. Some discoloration of foods may occur past the best-by date, but preservatives allow MREs to remain safe to eat for years in most cases.
Securing Water and Tools for MRE Preparation
Don't forget water and preparation tools as part of your patriot pantry planning! MREs require water for preparation - both for hydration and for heating meals. Ensure adequate water storage and purification methods.
You'll also want portable cooking tools like a camping stove, mess kits, pots, utensils, and more. This allows you to boil water for drinks and heat MRE entrées. Reliable off-grid lighting is also useful for meal prep when electricity is not available.
By calculating calorie needs, customizing taste preferences, monitoring storage, and securing water/tools, you can build an emergency food supply tailored to your family's unique needs. Start with a 2-week supply and build up gradually as your budget allows.
Frequently Asked Questions About Patriot MREs
New preppers often have questions about using MREs for their emergency stockpile. Here are answers to some common FAQs.
Assessing the Health Impact of Long-Term MRE Consumption
Patriot MREs are designed to provide balanced nutrition with whole food ingredients. Each pouch contains about 1200-1300 calories with a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. With variety packs, you can meet the recommended 2000 calories a day for a healthy diet.
The pouches use preservatives like sodium nitrite to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life up to 5 years. Consuming preservatives long-term may have minor health impacts, but eating MREs during an emergency is safe. Once fresh foods become available again, transition back to your normal diet.
Overall, Patriot MREs provide the sustenance you need to maintain strength and health when disasters strike. Just supplement with clean water and limit continuous use to 3-6 months for ideal nutrition.
Heating and Preparing MRE Pouches with Ease
Patriot MRE pouches have entrées like pasta or rice dishes that require water to prepare. Follow the cooking instructions on each pouch. Options include:
- Pouring boiling water into the pouch to rehydrate meals
- Using a flameless ration heater and water to warm entrees
- Heating pouches directly on a portable stove
Other MRE items like snacks and desserts can be eaten straight from the pouch without preparation. These shelf-stable pouches allow storage without refrigeration before opening.
Best Practices for Storing Emergency MREs
To maximize freshness and shelf life of Patriot MREs:
- Store pouches in a cool, dry place like a basement or interior closet
- Avoid temperature fluctuations - don't store MREs in garages or attics
- Check expiration dates and use oldest pouches first
- Once opened, eat MRE contents within 24 hours
- Leave unopened MRE cases sealed with desiccant packs inside
Following storage best practices ensures your emergency food supply retains optimum nutritional value and taste for years.
Understanding Water Requirements for MRE Preparation
- Main entrée pouches like meals with rice, pasta, or beans require water to prepare
- Follow the exact water measurements listed in cooking instructions
- Boil fresh water from local sources to rehydrate freeze-dried ingredients
- Snacks like trail mix or crackers can be eaten from pouches without adding water
- Desserts and candy may also be ready-to-eat depending on variety
Having a reusable water bottle and portable stove allows quick preparation of entrees requiring hydration. Carry extra water for cooking to supplement your drinking supply.
Conclusion: Essential Takeaways for Patriot MRE Food Readiness
Building an emergency food supply is a prudent part of any preparedness plan. With their convenient resealable pouches, long shelf life, and balanced nutrition, Patriot MREs can serve as a practical option when stocking supplies.
Recap of Patriot MRE Essentials for Emergency Preparedness
Patriot MRE kits provide complete, shelf-stable nutrition to support people during emergencies when fresh food access is constrained. Their durable pouches make them a practical emergency preparedness food solution.
Key takeaways include:
- Patriot MREs deliver balanced daily nutrition in convenient pouches. Each pouch contains entrees, sides, and desserts for one meal.
- With a 5-year shelf life, Patriot MREs enable long-term emergency stockpiling when stored properly.
- The durable, resealable pouches make Patriot MREs an ideal grab-and-go food option if evacuation is needed.
- Patriot MRE kits come in various sizes to meet different budgets and household needs.
Having an emergency food supply on hand can provide comfort and sustainment during times of crisis. Patriot MREs present a shelf-stable, transportable, and nutritious solution for readiness planning.