Strange Brown MRES?

[ElevatorFan73]

Writing this quick, here's the summary:

I went on eBay and decided to purchase a lot of brown bag MREs. When I got the MRE's in the mail, I noticed that they came in the original box, which is just like a standard US one from today, but slightly smaller. I opened it and also noticed that the meals were pretty light and didn't have much to them. the menus included spaghetti and meat sauce, chicken and rice, chicken stew, and beef stew, all of them twice, equaling 8 meals so far.

But as I read the labels, two more really stuck out to me.

The one of the left is CHILI CON CARNE WITH BEANS and the right is RED RICE AND BEANS, one I've never heard of (in the TS pouch anyway) and one that's common in HDR's (oddly enough, made before HDRs..)

I opened a few up and realized that they all came with the same exact things: apple jelly, crackers, the entree, and a close to genuine accessory packet, minus the moist towelette. But the best part? They all come with OATMEAL COOKIE, CHOCOLATE COVERED jackpot!

I already tried everything in one meal, and it seems to be fine. I'm assuming that this is a very early version of a civilian MRE, with date codes ranging in 1995.

Ryan

[RockyRaab]

I agree. Notice that the packer is Shelf Stable Foods. I bought a 12-pack of civilian "MREs" back in the late 80s that fit the same profile: two of each entree and identical other components. Mine had grape jelly, crackers, and a slimmed-down acc pack. I can't remember the dessert, but it may have been M&Ms. It came in a clear plastic outer bag and was sold by Cheaper Than Dirt.

[wats6831]

I remember these. They are just older late 80s, early 90s standard MREs. I don't' exactly recall the red bean entree but i remember the rest of the components being exactly those.

[ElevatorFan73]

I know that they are common brown MRE's, but I have never seen the two entrees..

[FREMONT]

How were the entrees and other food contents, where they still somewhat fresh? I have yet to try a brown bag MRE and I wish to do so.

[ElevatorFan73]

How were the entrees and other food contents, where they still somewhat fresh? I have yet to try a brown bag MRE and I wish to do so.

The components were completely fine! getting harder and harder to find items like this that are still fresh. It really depends on the storage conditions.

I always go by my theory: the crackers are the safest item in older MRE's, and sometimes those even spoil :p

[ElevatorFan73]

I agree. Notice that the packer is Shelf Stable Foods. I bought a 12-pack of civilian "MREs" back in the late 80s that fit the same profile: two of each entree and identical other components. Mine had grape jelly, crackers, and a slimmed-down acc pack. I can't remember the dessert, but it may have been M&Ms. It came in a clear plastic outer bag and was sold by Cheaper Than Dirt.

That's what it looks like. Cool to know!

[wats6831]

I know that they are common brown MRE's, but I have never seen the two entrees..

I've definitely seen Chili Con Carne....not the other one though. Strange. I wonder if that packer had a few different menus?

[parafireboy]

How were the entrees and other food contents, where they still somewhat fresh? I have yet to try a brown bag MRE and I wish to do so.

I've got a bunch of older brown bag MREs. If you're interested in one, shoot me a PM. I'll sell you one cheap.

[ckeen72]

"OATMEAL COOKIE, CHOCOLATE COVERED jackpot!"

Indeed!!!