Too many 'options' that aren't really good options, looking for reccomendations

[Micon]

TL/dr:  looking for suggested sellers for *quality* MRE style meals I can buy and shelve with no thought.

A while back I had in my short to mid term food plan a case of MREs I had found that were a reasonable deal.  They are getting to the end of the expected life on them (and I know, they are likely still good for a while longer, but I don't want them to be the primary - I'll keep them around just in case). 5 years ago the market wasn't the same as it is now.  There were options, but now it feels like every day a new company is popping up, selling basically the same things. 

Effectively what I want is something along those lines of an MRE - My wife isn't as gung ho as I am, but is mildly tolerant and if have something like those meals with fun stuff like M&Ms to show that helps keep her happy.  I do have a little bit of longer term stored food (the typical beans, rice, canned meats, etc) and I will continue down that line likely.  But right now I would like to find a GOOD, REPUTABLE company to just take my money and hand me some quality meals that I can put on a shelf for 5-10+ years and not worry about it.  I'm at a stage in life where my time is worth more, so the MRE type package has great appeal as opposed to me canning, mylar bag sealing with oxy packets, all that jazz.  Again, I will likely do that over time as I have time, but for now I'd like something I could trust to buy.

I do like the *concept* around those meal buckets - 30/60/90 days of meals in a nice sealed bucket with a supposed 20 year life that I can just put on a shelf.  I have been trying to figure which ones aren't just a whole bunch of mac and cheese variants tossed into a bucket and claiming to be 250 meals for $150, but is in fact just like $20 of elbow noodles and $10 worth of dried powders to give egg flavor (breakfast) meat flavor (dinner) sweet (dessert), etc.

Anyone here have any experience (and yes I know the board has authorized sellers, so that works too!) they could recommend?  I'm tired of trying to read thru the ingredients of all of those "Freedom Bucket"s out there.  (I tried to make up a name, but that might actually be one of the companies that has sprung up in the last year to take advantage of people)!

[Barr]

Mountain House is a pretty good option, they were also the primary food supply at the bunker underneath The Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia until it was decommissioned.

Thrivelife.com ain't bad at all, I've used them before as well.

https://wisefoodstorage.com/ is also an excellent option, I think they are also sold by Costco now as well.

Backpackers Pantry is a pretty highly recommended option as well.

[Nyte]

Watch the nutritional info on backpacking freeze dried meals like Mountain House and Backpacker's Pantry.  They usually have a crap ton of sodium.  Even by the standards of backpacking where you are exerting a lot all day.  Just something to keep in mind/watch out for.

[boskone]

I've done business with XMRE before.  However, MREs are really more of a medium-term storage option, and pretty bulky for their dietary value.

I might keep a day or two worth in a closet, but I'd focus more on long-term storage but daily-consumption foods.  Canned goods, of course rice and beans, maybe freeze-dried meats from Mountain House or the like.

And maybe some "wife treats" hidden in a box somewhere that get cycled to the pantry to stay fresh. 

[Micon]

LOL, I love the idea of hidden wife treats... I just know some random time she will be cleaning and find them, and then they are fair game!  (Or worse, I will sneak them and think of replacing).

Ya, MREs are totally too bulky for a lot of needs.  I posted in here cause my main plan is always to bug in and not out, so bulk isnt an issue.  But I agree, mid term at best.  The thought was if we are locked down for 2-3 weeks kind of feel, I want to keep her (and myself) feeling normal and at ease, and the 'whole meal' feel of them sorta helps keep that sense of normalcy and keeps the panic at bay.  I just fear ordering some and getting ones that are already like 5 years old due to shady dealers.

Lots of good suggestions here, thanks all.  I can focus my research more now!

[Raptor]

I've done business with XMRE before.  However, MREs are really more of a medium-term storage option, and pretty bulky for their dietary value.

I might keep a day or two worth in a closet, but I'd focus more on long-term storage but daily-consumption foods.  Canned goods, of course rice and beans, maybe freeze-dried meats from Mountain House or the like.

And maybe some "wife treats" hidden in a box somewhere that get cycled to the pantry to stay fresh. 

^^^^ ---- This is similar to advice I give people.


That said in certain situations MRE or shelf stable food is actually desirable.

However due to the cost of MRE I suggest these as alternatives:

Hormel has a wide variety of shelf stable entrees. They do not have the shelf life of an MRE but they are much cheaper.
https://hormel.com/Brands/Compleats.aspx

These are shelf stable foods in foil pouches that require minimum prep much like an MRE entree.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Pulled-Pork-in-BBQ-Sauce-Pouch-2-6-oz/982032683
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Great-Value-Brown-Rice-90-Second-Pouch-8-8-oz/409186512