People who prep for whatever reason....

steveinaz

Don't know why I didn't post this sooner, but here's a quick review on Wise Company Foods long shelf life "survival" type food. I was curious about this stuff, so i bought the cheapest package (like $49?? IIRC) which is 2 weeks of meals for 2 people.

AWFUL.

End of review.

Seriously, an Army MRE is fine cuisine next to this stuff, and I AM NOT a fussy eater. If you are still curious about it, have them send you a free sample before you buy (what I should have done). I told Bev, we'll save the Wise food for when we reach a level of hunger just before eating insects, and drinking our own urine.

EndersShadow

Steve when the zombies come aknocking you'll be glad you have it .

I have been curious as to how that food actually tastes. I would think MRE's are just a better overall option myself.

steveinaz

The only problem with MRE's is that the shelf life is far more limited than people realize. IIRC, under the BEST conditions, MRE's are only good for about 5-7yrs. We're talking "refrigeration" levels of cool storage, which is unrealistic for most people.

I'm thinking rice and beans is probably "good ol reliable" in a situation where you want to store food long term, that you wouldn't mind eating. Rice, properly stored in sealed containers, will last almost indefinitely.

zingo

A lot of the food marketed towards backpacking is also fairly tasty with a good shelf life.

obieone

Steve, have you tried Mountain House? I'm curious as to how palatable they are.

pitdogg2

I'm good and I'll eat in style!!

I have 20 boxes of Twinkies

steveinaz

MRE Info:

http://www.mreinfo.com/us/mre/mre-shelf-life.html

steveinaz

obieone wrote: »

Steve, have you tried Mountain House? I'm curious as to how palatable they are.

I haven't, but I am interested in checking them out.

jbooker82

just use it as bait to catch the rats. Then eat them.

steveinaz

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I'm good and I'll eat in style!!

I have 20 boxes of Twinkies

OK, I guess we've established the rally point?...LOL

steveinaz

jbooker82 wrote: »

just use it as bait to catch the rats. Then eat them.

I like your style. Good call.

EndersShadow

Steve, just watch one episode of doomsday preppers and follow what they do .. just kidding some of the ways they store food is HORRIBLE.

That and I notice it doesnt matter how prepared someone is their lifespan on that show is at max 1 1/2 years lol.

steveinaz

I've seen doomsday preppers--I find shows like that stangely addictive, don't know why; that, and any shows about Alaska. Agree, alot of those preppers go way off the deep end, and don't concentrate on the basics (long shelf life and WATER). Of course you always want alternate sources of power (generator, propane, wood, etc).

I prepare more along the lines of natural disasters, power outage, etc. though economic fall-out is also on my mind from time to time. We're big campers anyway, so we already have a solid foundation of survival, and being resourceful when needed. We have tent-camped for as long as 9 days, and learn an awful lot about how to pack, what to bring, and how to stay comfortable. Of course I've had much longer "camping trips" while in the Army.

sucks2beme

You know the old style c rations lasted FOREVER.
USMC was still giving them out at the end of the 70's

unc2701

I'm just going to leave this here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/26/167819082/dont-fear-that-expired-food

steveinaz

unc2701 wrote: »

I'm just going to leave this here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/12/26/167819082/dont-fear-that-expired-food

Good info, I've seen quite alot on that topic.

steveinaz

sucks2beme wrote: »

You know the old style c rations lasted FOREVER.
USMC was still giving them out at the end of the 70's

We were still issued C rats in boot camp in 82. They disappeared quite quickly after that.

jflail2

Good to know on the horrible taste Steve. I'm wanting to stock up a bit once I get into the new place, but don't want to end up with 3 months of stuff I'll never eat.

The best advice a friend gave me was to buy more of the non-perishables you normally eat anyway. And as you buy more, rotate the old to the front, and the new to the back. And large bags of rice and beans were high on the list, if you have some basic tupperware containers to store them in.

And I actually liked MRE's when my dad would bring them home (retired Air Force), I guess b/c I was a kid and all. I think he referred to them as "bag nasties". I really didn't think they were that bad....but I wasn't eating them out in the field for months at a time either.

GospelTruth

steveinaz wrote: »

AWFUL.

End of review.

Seriously, an Army MRE is fine cuisine next to this stuff, and I AM NOT a fussy eater. If you are still curious about it, have them send you a free sample before you buy (what I should have done). I told Bev, we'll save the Wise food for when we reach a level of hunger just before eating insects, and drinking our own urine.

Well, you just made my day with good laugh. I know you are serious about the review, but thanks for the humorous way it was written. I'll be sure to stay away from that brand.

GospelTruth

obieone wrote: »

Steve, have you tried Mountain House? I'm curious as to how palatable they are.

I believe the Costco by us has sold these before. I bought them last year. It was something like a 20 pack of freeze dried meals. I've used them on backpacking adventures up in Tahoe. They were pretty good if you ask me. I'm sure some are better than others depending on the meal. Couldn't pass it up for the price at Costco as they are a lot more expensive individually are stores like REI.

steveinaz

Our running joke in the Army about MRE's was this: "M-R-E, 3 lies in 1."

sucks2beme

I think I had c rations hot just once in my life.
Big difference between hot and cold.
Shelf life for most of the survival stuff isn't all that good.
Much of the current "survival " craze is driven by guys
selling the goods.

steveinaz

GospelTruth wrote: »

Well, you just made my day with good laugh. I know you are serious about the review, but thanks for the humorous way it was written. I'll be sure to stay away from that brand.

I was pretty disappointed, as they advertise quite a bit---and a number of youtube videos showed people "drooling" over them. They are gummy, tasteless, contain very little if any meat...just awful. In Wise' defense, I haven't tried any of the breakfast "meals" or desserts.

FTR, we prepared them exactly per the instructions.

headrott

obieone wrote: »

Steve, have you tried Mountain House? I'm curious as to how palatable they are.

I regularly go backpacking and have used Mountain House. It's OK. I wouldn't call it outstanding, but it sounds like it's much more palatable than the Wise Food Steve brought up (I haven't tried any of the food storage companys' food, although I am interested in trying and buying some so I appreciate everyones' input. And thanks STeve for starting the thread).

steveinaz

sucks2beme wrote: »

I think I had c rations hot just once in my life.
Big difference between hot and cold.
Shelf life for most of the survival stuff isn't all that good.
Much of the current "survival " craze is driven by guys
selling the goods.

I thought C rats were pretty good, used to the love the "cans" of cake, EXCEPT the "orange nut roll." The chocolate chip cake in a can could be swapped for a whole pack of smokes. I remember getting the little box of chicklets gum in c rats.

steveinaz

headrott wrote: »

I regularly go backpacking and have used Mountain House. It's OK. I wouldn't call it outstanding, but it sounds like it's much more palatable than the Wise Food Steve brought up (I haven't tried any of the food storage companys' food, although I am interested in trying and buying some so I appreciate everyones' input. And thanks STeve for starting the thread).

Good to know. We're pretty spoiled so even when we tent camp we take mostly "real" food. I love doing steaks/shrimp over a wood fire, good stuff.

headrott

steveinaz wrote: »

Good to know. We're pretty spoiled so even when we tent camp we take mostly "real" food. I love doing steaks/shrimp over a wood fire, good stuff.

I know what you mean Steve. When we go backpacking, we try to take as much "real" food as possible as well. But unlike camping, weight is a big factor in backpacking, so dehydrated foods become essential to keep weight under control. No steak and shrimp for backpackers.:sad: But, man are there some great views and water!

helipilotdoug

Mountain House is very good when it comes to freeze dried foods. When planning for any survival scenario, my personal outlook is to have a variety of foods. This includes a variety of the Mountain House products in the pouches rather than cans (if you are feeding several people then the larger cans might be better for you), MRE's, and canned foods, plus a variety of the spices you normally use in food preparation. WATER!!!! Water is one of the most important, if not THE most important thing you need to have on hand. In a real disaster, clean water may not be available. Depending on your situation, you should have enough water stored away for at least one week, at one gallon per day per person. If you have a creek, or other source of fresh water, get a water filter to use so you'll have a good source of potable water. Remember, most folks can go for 3 weeks or more without food, but without water your survival time is limited. Most people can go about 3 days without water and that's it.

Here is a FEMA web site to help you learn and plan. http://www.ready.gov/

George Grand

I can't believe you guys put that stuff in your mouth.

Polkersince85

If it's going to get that bad, I'll just stock up on "other" items and take whatever I need from the preppers.

txcoastal1

I'll stock home brew provisions ie whiskey, wine, beer, and water along with tobacco, coffee, and ammo....these will be worth more than gold.:cool: