By: Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer
Date: October 20, 2018
Plenty of you reading this have served in the US Armed Forces and are all too familiar with the old MRE’s (meal, ready to eat). Plenty more have run into them during disaster operations or when someone pulls one out of a bag when out camping. The content of these sealed pouches has changed quite a bit in the last several decades.
One of the most interesting evolutions in the civilian market is Meal Kit Supply. Rather than attempting to directly copy military rations, Meal Kit Supply has taken a more thoughtful approach to the concept of shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meals. The focus here is on recognizable foods, better flavors, and meals that feel more like something you’d choose to eat rather than something you tolerate.
Meal Kit Supply meals are packaged similarly to civilian MREs, but the contents are noticeably different. These meals are designed with a broader audience in mind, from preparedness-focused consumers to campers, overlanders, and anyone looking for long-term food storage that doesn’t feel institutional.
The evolution of these meals reflects changing expectations. Consumers today want better taste, better variety, and more transparency about what they’re eating. Meal Kit Supply delivers on that by offering complete meals that balance calories, familiarity, and convenience without relying solely on military surplus or dated ration concepts.
This shift represents a broader trend in preparedness culture. Emergency food is no longer just about survival—it’s about sustainability, morale, and practicality. Meal Kit Supply shows how far ready-to-eat meals have come from their early origins.