In 1983, contract overruns of the new military MRE pouches were piling up at manufacturing plants like Green Giant and Hormel. With the government needs for the rations met, these extra pouches were up for grabs. However, nobody seemed to want the new “ugly duckling” pouches. The plain green military packaging was not in sync with the flashy marketing of the food industry. And, the innovative new pouches were an unknown quantity to those who were used to relying on metal cans for their full moisture, long shelf life food.
Everyone from grocery stores to restaurants rejected the green military food pouches. They were even considered too unattractive to be served in food kitchens for the homeless! Highly nutritious and beautifully designed, high tech food pouches with a much longer than normal shelf life, were headed for the landfill! But we spotted a place where these ugly ducklings would fit right in. Away from war, away from the military, and away from the constraints of the mainstream food industry, we bought up the available MRE pouches and offered them to regular people (civilians) with rugged, but peaceful interests.
We believed that outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and hikers alike, would appreciate the true value of these pouches as a tasty and convenient outdoor mealtime solution, despite their plain design. We also knew that during tough times like natural disasters and other emergencies, the MRE would be the perfect supply to have on hand because of the extended shelf-life and because they are full-moisture, full-flavor, and ready to eat.
So in 1983, we began building the first and only MRE Smorgasbord, and with that, we pioneered the civilian MRE industry! We built a one-stop shopping center for MRE pouches and full meals that evolved from a printed mail-order catalog into a complete, user-friendly website in 2002. In 2015, we were forced to downsize and change our marketing approach. Now we offer our own products, and those of many other sellers. For over 35 years we have provided a continuous supply of MRE pouches and MRE full meals to campers, hunters, fishermen, survivalists, adventurers, relief groups, government feeding agencies, and more. We have been at the forefront of MRE appreciation and promotion, and have helped to turn an ugly duckling product into a superior brand name!
Our customers recognize that it’s what’s inside that counts, and they know what’s inside the ugly green MRE pouch: Food that …
- Retains full moisture and full flavor — ready to eat and easy to serve
- Has a longer shelf life than usual, made from the highest quality ingredients
- Contains higher protein and energy than usual
- Portable, fast and convenient
MRE’s are what we do and what we have been doing for over 30 years. We’ve provided great customer service and the best and fastest shipping available — so that you can make the most of your MRE experience!
Future Humans
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 inaccessible. These conditions may be brought on intentionally, by planning a trek through the Appalachians or camping out. Or nature can impose earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes or tornadoes. Or the need for an alternate 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.
Simple Purpose
Our company purpose, born in 1983, has remained simple and consistent: we strive to provide the world’s best virtual MRE buffet. That’s all. With our new set up, nothing has changed about our purpose. Our beautifully ugly green pouches with the long shelf life are the stars on display in our smorgasbord, which hosts a wide selection of MRE parts and pieces in addition to traditional MRE Full Meals.
The smorgasbord first existed in printed paper catalogs. Later, our MRE smorgasbord leaped onto the Internet, where it found a natural home. Now it has expanded to include MRE products from other sellers. It’s a simple purpose, which has kept us challenged and engaged for over 40 years!