What is the latest on this kman? Any word from these folks about what isle at Walmart they will be avaiable at?
I can just see the pricing now...1cs of Eversafe Rations - $44.77
(they always like to throw that funky pricing in there, I don't think Walmart has ever put a .99 at the end of any item in the store)
Wornick's "Eversafe" meals
I'm still waiting for some into (and maybe samples) to be sent to me, but here's what I found out:
Producing a more "consumer-friendly" MRE was an idea that came about long before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Many large and small companies had been contacting Wornick and asking how they could procure MREs for their disaster recovery programs. Being unable to sell MREs to the private sector, Wornick realized the opportunity to supply this market.
The "Eversafe" package you see at the top of this thread is their immediate response to that market. It is not a repackaged MRE; rather, it is actually a repackaged TOTM. [The TOTM is a slightly scaled-back meal with many of the MRE components. Average 997 calories vs. 1250 calories.]
The Eversafe meal will contain the FRH (heater) for the entree.
Now, while a repackaged TOTM may suit us and others, Wornick is developing a much-improved meal with features such as:
When I get more info, I'll pass it on.
I know some of you (*ahem*) are waiting for WalMart to carve out some room for these products. At present, they can be ordered only from Wornick. Answers to questions on pricing, availability, etc...are forthcoming.
That's the latest.
--CaptBob
Producing a more "consumer-friendly" MRE was an idea that came about long before Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Many large and small companies had been contacting Wornick and asking how they could procure MREs for their disaster recovery programs. Being unable to sell MREs to the private sector, Wornick realized the opportunity to supply this market.
The "Eversafe" package you see at the top of this thread is their immediate response to that market. It is not a repackaged MRE; rather, it is actually a repackaged TOTM. [The TOTM is a slightly scaled-back meal with many of the MRE components. Average 997 calories vs. 1250 calories.]
The Eversafe meal will contain the FRH (heater) for the entree.
Now, while a repackaged TOTM may suit us and others, Wornick is developing a much-improved meal with features such as:
- · entree served in a bowl instead of a pouch
· heater will be integrated into new bowl for ease of use
· kid-friendly meals offered (mac and cheese, etc.)
· more menu choices
· more recognizable condiments
· four-color "commercial-style" packaging
When I get more info, I'll pass it on.
I know some of you (*ahem*) are waiting for WalMart to carve out some room for these products. At present, they can be ordered only from Wornick. Answers to questions on pricing, availability, etc...are forthcoming.
That's the latest.
--CaptBob
Thanks for the update, CaptBob! You know, they really, really, really should beta-test these things on the mreinfo.com forum members. We'd be the perfect group.
DirtyDave and his daughter could test the kid-friendliness of them. I could do all that stress-testing to let them know exactly how *not* to store them and which ones go bad first. And oh yeah...HellRider could tell them exactly how much is *too much* water to put into the heater.
Oh well...if they won't use us as guinea-pigs, we'll just have to get by with *lots of pictures* from any samples they send you!
DirtyDave and his daughter could test the kid-friendliness of them. I could do all that stress-testing to let them know exactly how *not* to store them and which ones go bad first. And oh yeah...HellRider could tell them exactly how much is *too much* water to put into the heater.
Oh well...if they won't use us as guinea-pigs, we'll just have to get by with *lots of pictures* from any samples they send you!
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BackwoodsPundit
- Posts: 87
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2005 1:28 pm
- Location: Deep Creek, VA
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donelurkin
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 2:32 pm
They sound like they have good ideas about how to approach the market. The kid friendly thing is very intriguing. That is something I have been scratching my head about too. I opened some of my MREs to let the kids try them out. My 10 year old really dug them--especially the heater. The pickier kids were less excited, but at least liked the desserts...
Kman, I thought your concept of market research via the MREinfo denizens was a good one. My only criticism: make sure they know we'll do it for FREE! Corporate America loves that price point of $0.
Kman, I thought your concept of market research via the MREinfo denizens was a good one. My only criticism: make sure they know we'll do it for FREE! Corporate America loves that price point of $0.
Okay...here's more info on the EverSafe line:
Their basic line in pouches is exactly the same as the current TOTM line -- menu 1 is spaghetti, menu 2 is minestrone stew, etc. -- except that menu 3 is new:
- Pork Rib
- Osmotic Fruit (raisins or cranberries)
- Peanuts, dry roasted, salted
- Cracker packet
- M&M's
- Dining packet A (spoon, salt, pepper, creamer, coffee, sugar, towelette, napkin)
I noticed one thing missing from the list sent to me by Wornick -- no beverage base. I've asked why it was left out. More later.
At the moment, they can be ordered only from Wornick and only by the case. Pricing is . . . well, my contact sent me an image file with the prices and it was unreadable, so I've asked for clarification. More later.
Quickly, here's the rundown on the menu offerings for the new basic line of EverSafe Bowls (which show a date of 3/1/2006 in the materials sent to me):
1. Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal
2. Chili with Beans (comes with cornbread!)
3. Macaroni & Cheese
4. Beef Stew
5. Green Pepper Beef Steak
6. Cheese Tortellini (comes with breadsticks!)
7. Glazed Chicken w/carrots and potatoes
8. Chicken Teriyaki w/rice
9. Chicken and Dumplings
Plus three more entrees currently under development.
Full list of contents coming later. Also, you're not stuck with only a spoon. Some menus come with a fork or both knife and fork.
That's the latest on the EverSafe line. Once again, I'll post more later on especially when I get the pricing info.
--CaptBob
Their basic line in pouches is exactly the same as the current TOTM line -- menu 1 is spaghetti, menu 2 is minestrone stew, etc. -- except that menu 3 is new:
- Pork Rib
- Osmotic Fruit (raisins or cranberries)
- Peanuts, dry roasted, salted
- Cracker packet
- M&M's
- Dining packet A (spoon, salt, pepper, creamer, coffee, sugar, towelette, napkin)
I noticed one thing missing from the list sent to me by Wornick -- no beverage base. I've asked why it was left out. More later.
At the moment, they can be ordered only from Wornick and only by the case. Pricing is . . . well, my contact sent me an image file with the prices and it was unreadable, so I've asked for clarification. More later.
Quickly, here's the rundown on the menu offerings for the new basic line of EverSafe Bowls (which show a date of 3/1/2006 in the materials sent to me):
1. Apple & Cinnamon Oatmeal
2. Chili with Beans (comes with cornbread!)
3. Macaroni & Cheese
4. Beef Stew
5. Green Pepper Beef Steak
6. Cheese Tortellini (comes with breadsticks!)
7. Glazed Chicken w/carrots and potatoes
8. Chicken Teriyaki w/rice
9. Chicken and Dumplings
Plus three more entrees currently under development.
Full list of contents coming later. Also, you're not stuck with only a spoon. Some menus come with a fork or both knife and fork.
That's the latest on the EverSafe line. Once again, I'll post more later on especially when I get the pricing info.
--CaptBob
A FREE CASE!!!!!
So, here I am expecting a small package in the mail with a sample of the new EverSafe line of meals from Wornick.
I go to the mailstop (this is a big company)...and there's a full case of meals sitting there. Wornick sent them FedEx overnight! How cool is that?
I don't have photos yet, but I wanted to share a few things:
There are twelve menus to a case. The case is standard corrugated cardboard with blue printing:
The pouches are clear plastic – not quite as heavy as the MREs – and have blue printing on the front. They do not have any menu-specific information on them. The entrée selection is clearly visible through the back of the package.
The case I received is a mixture of menu offerings and does not appear to match the stated menus in their presentation. Rather than open each individual pouch, I’ll list the major components (entrée, side dish). Here’s the rundown, in no particular order:
I find it interesting that “Hash Browns with Bacon” appears in half of the menus in the case, teamed up with a variety of entrées. This item appeared in 2005 but was offered only with the Omelet.
Also, “Minestrone Stew” (which appeared in 2000 and has always been a side dish to the Grilled Chicken) is now an entrée.
Finally, as for the menu item choices, this case seems to be a somewhat random collection of items, perhaps rushed into production. With many duplications, there are actually:
· 3 Jambalayas
· 3 Chicken and salsa
· 2 Penne in Spicy Sauce
· plus four other entrées
Clearly, this is not the twelve different menus which are offered in the TOTM meals. I'll have to check with Wornick on that!
Inside the Clear Pouch:
I decided to open one pouch and examine its contents. The subject: “Penne…Spicy Tomato Sauce”. Here’s what’s inside, packed from front to back:
“Restaurant Review” Note: The entrée has a nice color, the pasta pieces look like pasta, there are green and red peppers, and it has a nice, spicy flavor. The sauce is a bit rich and would better if there were more pasta. If I were eating this in the field, I’d take the crackers and crumble them into the mixture to help “cut” the richness of the sauce. The “vegetable sausage” is not apparent as sausage pieces but smaller chunks and taste surprisingly similar to pork sausage. As for the crackers, they are a bit saltier than those I’ve had in the past and this is a nice improvement. The raspberry applesauce was a refreshing change from the old standard variety.
Packaging notes:
All items in this pouch were produced in September 2005.
None of the interior packaging is any different from the MRE items. You still get to read that “you are more active during field training, deployment and combat than in garrison” on the back of the entrée box.
It appears that in September 2005, Wornick began adding allergen warnings to the cardboard packaging on the entrées:
The accessory packet has some differences from the standard MRE:
· There is a consumer-style napkin
· The spoon is white plastic
All pouches contain the FRH (flameless ration heaters)
Here is the pricing structure:
Tiered Pricing
FOB, McAllen Texas
12 meal kits per case / 48 cases per pallet
Cases....... .............. .............. Price per case
1.............. to............. 10............ $75.00
11............ to............. 48............ $69.00
49............ to............. 489.......... $63.00
481.......... to............. 1152........ $60.00
1,153....... to............. 2,496....... $57.00
2,497....... to............. 50,112..... $54.00
50,113...... and above................ $51.00
Anyone want to order 50,113 cases? Let’s see, that comes to 1044 pallets plus one extra case for the guy who drives the forklift!
CaptBob, doing his part for MRE fans everywhere!
I go to the mailstop (this is a big company)...and there's a full case of meals sitting there. Wornick sent them FedEx overnight! How cool is that?
I don't have photos yet, but I wanted to share a few things:
There are twelve menus to a case. The case is standard corrugated cardboard with blue printing:
The ends of the case declare the weight at 18 lbs.Emergency Preparedness in the Workplace
EverSafe™
12 Complete Meal Kits
with self-heating units, entrées, snacks, condiments and utensils
The pouches are clear plastic – not quite as heavy as the MREs – and have blue printing on the front. They do not have any menu-specific information on them. The entrée selection is clearly visible through the back of the package.
The case I received is a mixture of menu offerings and does not appear to match the stated menus in their presentation. Rather than open each individual pouch, I’ll list the major components (entrée, side dish). Here’s the rundown, in no particular order:
- Ham and Shrimp Jambalaya
Raspberry Flavored Applesauce
Chicken Breast Strips with Chunky Salsa
Applesauce
Penne with Vegetable Sausage Crumbles in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Raspberry Flavored Applesauce
Chili and Macaroni
Applesauce
Ham and Shrimp Jambalaya
Hash Browns with Bacon
Chicken Breast Strips with Chunky Salsa
Mexican Style Rice
Minestrone Stew
Hash Browns with Bacon
Penne with Vegetable Sausage Crumbles in Spicy Tomato Sauce
Raspberry Flavored Applesauce
Cheese and Vegetable Manicotti in Tomato Sauce
Hash Browns with Bacon
Chicken Breast Strips with Chunky Salsa
Hash Browns with Bacon
Sloppy Joe Filling
Hash Browns with Bacon
Ham and Shrimp Jambalaya
Hash Browns with Bacon
I find it interesting that “Hash Browns with Bacon” appears in half of the menus in the case, teamed up with a variety of entrées. This item appeared in 2005 but was offered only with the Omelet.
Also, “Minestrone Stew” (which appeared in 2000 and has always been a side dish to the Grilled Chicken) is now an entrée.
Finally, as for the menu item choices, this case seems to be a somewhat random collection of items, perhaps rushed into production. With many duplications, there are actually:
· 3 Jambalayas
· 3 Chicken and salsa
· 2 Penne in Spicy Sauce
· plus four other entrées
Clearly, this is not the twelve different menus which are offered in the TOTM meals. I'll have to check with Wornick on that!
Inside the Clear Pouch:
I decided to open one pouch and examine its contents. The subject: “Penne…Spicy Tomato Sauce”. Here’s what’s inside, packed from front to back:
- · Entrée (Penne…Sauce) (180 calories)
· FRH
· Crackers (180 calories)
· Long, unmarked, tan pouch inside which was a factory-wrapped half-ounce Tootsie Roll® (50 calories)
· Beverage base, orange (130 calories)
· Accessory pack with coffee, sugar, creamer, three little salt packets, one little pepper packet, and a lemon-scented “Moist Wipe”
· Separate clear package with long, white spoon and conventional-style napkin
· Side dish (Raspberry Flavored Applesauce) (100 calories)
“Restaurant Review” Note: The entrée has a nice color, the pasta pieces look like pasta, there are green and red peppers, and it has a nice, spicy flavor. The sauce is a bit rich and would better if there were more pasta. If I were eating this in the field, I’d take the crackers and crumble them into the mixture to help “cut” the richness of the sauce. The “vegetable sausage” is not apparent as sausage pieces but smaller chunks and taste surprisingly similar to pork sausage. As for the crackers, they are a bit saltier than those I’ve had in the past and this is a nice improvement. The raspberry applesauce was a refreshing change from the old standard variety.
Packaging notes:
All items in this pouch were produced in September 2005.
None of the interior packaging is any different from the MRE items. You still get to read that “you are more active during field training, deployment and combat than in garrison” on the back of the entrée box.
It appears that in September 2005, Wornick began adding allergen warnings to the cardboard packaging on the entrées:
- Sep 7, 2005 package of Chicken Breast Strips contains allergen warning: “Allergens: Contains Fish”. (The Aug 3, 2005 package of the same product does not have the warning.)
Sep 20, 2005 package Penne has warnings about soy, wheat, and egg.
Sep 24, 2005 package Sloppy Joe Filling warnings: soy and fish.
The accessory packet has some differences from the standard MRE:
· There is a consumer-style napkin
· The spoon is white plastic
All pouches contain the FRH (flameless ration heaters)
Here is the pricing structure:
Tiered Pricing
FOB, McAllen Texas
12 meal kits per case / 48 cases per pallet
Cases....... .............. .............. Price per case
1.............. to............. 10............ $75.00
11............ to............. 48............ $69.00
49............ to............. 489.......... $63.00
481.......... to............. 1152........ $60.00
1,153....... to............. 2,496....... $57.00
2,497....... to............. 50,112..... $54.00
50,113...... and above................ $51.00
Anyone want to order 50,113 cases? Let’s see, that comes to 1044 pallets plus one extra case for the guy who drives the forklift!
CaptBob, doing his part for MRE fans everywhere!