MREStar MREs

MREStar

International Meals Supply is unique in the civilian MRE industry in that they do not produce MREs for the U.S. Government like their competitors do. But IMS is a certified supplier of emergency rations for the Department of Defense/Defense Logistics Agency, Defense Supply Center Philadelphia. The MREStar MREs were introduced in 2006. Even though the product offering is young, it has already set itself apart because of its unique choice of entrees. Four of their six entrees are completely new but even though the other two entrees have familiar names (Beef Stew, Cheese Tortellini), they definitely have improved flavor.

IMS produces everything inside the MREStar MRE with the exception of the bakery goods (shortbread cookie). The accessory pack is more complete than others in that it contains everything you would expect - spoon, moist wipe, napkin, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, salt, and pepper. The spoon is different from the military MRE spoon - this one is shorter and wider. So wide, in fact, that it is easy to wolf down an entire entree in just a few spoonfuls. According to MREStar, the larger spoon size was actually requested by the DSCP so the food could be consumed faster by military personnel. See the spoons section on the Civilian MRE Comparison page for more information.

Heaters

MREStar MRE's are offered with the option of buying them with or without heaters. When included, the heaters are packaged in the meal bag. These heaters are the same as the military Flameless Ration Heaters that are activated with plain water. The MRESTARs with heaters cost about $8 more than without heaters.

Menus

A case of MREStar MREs comes with 12 individual meals. There are usually six different menus in each case so you get two of each menu. The menus from MREStar appear to be set for now so every case should contain the same menus. Here are the six main entrees:

Beef Stroganoff with Egg Noodles
Beef Stew with Potatoes and Vegetables
BBQ Chicken with Black Beans and Potatoes
Chicken Noodle Stew with Vegetables
Cheese Tortellini with Marinara Sauce
Vegetarian Chili with Beans

Here's a full menu listing from a case of MREStar MREs that was packed in October, 2006:

MENU 1	Calories	MENU 2	Calories	MENU 3	Calories
Beef Stroganoff Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	380 120 400 280 90	Beef Stew Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	220 120 400 280 90	BBQ Chicken Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	290 120 400 280 90
Total:	1,270	Total:	1,110	Total:	1,180
MENU 4	Calories	MENU 5	Calories	MENU 6	Calories
Chicken Noodle Stew Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	200 120 400 280 90	Cheese Tortellini Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	280 120 400 280 90	Vegetarian Chili Apple Sauce Nut Raisin Mix Oatmeal Cookie Drink Mix, Orange	250 120 310 310 130
Total:	1,090	Total:	1,170	Total:	1,080
				Avg. Calories per MRE: Total Calories per Case:	1,150 13,800