MREInfo.com

I've been toying with the idea of putting together my own MREs utilizing off-the-shelf, ready to eat foods (no freeze-dried or "just add water" foods) and vacuum sealing the packages. For the entree/side dish portion of the MRE, I've thought of using Hormel Compleats for about $2.25 each. That leaves me with about $2.75 for the remainder of the MRE; crackers (starch), peanut butter/cheese (fat or other high-caloric value item - Slim Jims, trail mix, protein bar), dessert, cold instant drink, hot sauce packet, coffee, creamer, sugar, salt, and moist towelette. I'll have to also throw in an FRH and hot beverage bag. Seeing as how cases of recent-production MREs are going for about $60 on eBay, do you guys think there is any way I can roll my own for less than $5? I'm just not seeing how I can do so. If any of you have had any experience doing so and can provided some shopping tips, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Jonny,

Hello, I made be able to shed some light and advice on this. I make the pseudo FSR's on the forum and I have also experimented with other ration modules for the board members here. To make your own MRE with off the shelf items is do-able but under $5.00 is not feasible unless you get your own MRE parts for free or find those off the shelf items for free. You can definitely make something for under $10.00 if you look around but unless you near a military base or in the military you're going to be a purchasing your own parts and that can add up.

You could check at some local army-navy surplus stores to see if they sell MRE parts. Those come cheap. Also if you have discount store like a Big Lots, Dollar Store, Grocery Outlet, Etc. and find items that come for under a dollar that can help. The only other way is to buy bulk and divide up the stuff into 12 module rations or whatever your looking to make on a larger scale.

I 2 have been thinking for building my own rations pack or Mre do to the fact of I do a lot camping hunting fishing cycling all year round
O dont know if I should do 24 or one meal or a mix