Rich Lucibella
Staff
For all you Y2K fans out there, I have to state that I hardly expect utilities, the banking system, the government or civilization to fall apart on 1/1/2000. I don't expect Clinton to declare Marshall Law and UN Troops to flood the nation moving door to door to collect our weapons. But, with the growing risk of biologic and computer based terrorism, it's nice to know your options.
I recently decided to try a few different Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) while ordering other stuff from a catalog (Cheaper than Dirt? Brigade QuarterMasters?). And so I found myself in posession of a package from The Wornick Company in McAllen, TX.
The meal comes in a heavy, sealed plasic pouch. The pouch indicates:
Pasta and Vegetables in Tomato Sauce.
Menu #2.
Contains: Pasta and Vegetables Entree, Applesauce,Crackers, Strawberry Jam, Chocolate-Covered Oatmeal Cookie, Orange Drink Mix and Condiments.
A complete nutritional breakdown is provided, along with ingredients and prep instructions. (850 Calories)
Now I gotta mention that I'm second generation Italian...and I cook. I know pasta and I know sauce. I don't eat in fast food places (with the exception of an occasional Mickie D's Egg McMuffin, hash browns and coffee). I don't appreciate prepared foods in can or container. In short, I'm not easy to please...a real sumbitch, if you will. However, being charitable and cautious, I approached the contents with an open mind(?).
Upon tearing open the package, I found everything as described, in individually wrapped containers. The one exception was the substitution of Instant Coffee for the Orange drink (the manufacturer reserves the right to make minor substitutions).
Included were plastic serving dish, plastic utensils, including a very long spoon, plastic wrapped napkin, salt, pepper, powdered non-dairy creamer and two sugar packets...thats right, two. For those of you who drink coffee with more than one sugar, you know what it's like to pull out of the Golden Arches to find the inevitable one (or zero) sugar packets. Perhaps you even know the frustration of a hotel 2 cup coffee maker with 1-2 sugar packets (Grrrr, don't get me started!).
The meal may be eaten cold, but I opted for immersion of the entree packet in boiling water for 5 minutes. I spread the Jam on the crackers, opened the applesauce and emptied the hot entree onto the plate.
I can't tell you what a pleasant surprise this meal was! While it was hardly 5 star dining, it was actually quite tasty. The pasta was not mushy, the vegetables were readily identifiable and the tomato sauce was more than palatable. The applesauce was a good as any from a jar. The jam was delicious and the coffee was hot and appropriately sweet.
I waited for the stomach distress that often follows intake of strange prepared foods...it never materialized.
Based on this one sample, I intend to order others and highly recommend these items for those who maintain disaster stores, "bugout kits", for camping, remote getaway homes and hunting sites.
I have been cautioned that purchase of a six month supply might trip certain agency triggers, given the hype about that latest of "public enemies", the "Militias". While none of us welcomes Big Brother scrutiny, I have to believe that the Y2K hype has expanded MRE orders to such a degree that an extended supply for one or two persons is now commonplace.
The increased demand also has the benefit of drawing down outdated MRE stocks and increasing the probability that your order will be relatively fresh.
Regards,
Rich
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited 12-06-98).]
I recently decided to try a few different Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) while ordering other stuff from a catalog (Cheaper than Dirt? Brigade QuarterMasters?). And so I found myself in posession of a package from The Wornick Company in McAllen, TX.
The meal comes in a heavy, sealed plasic pouch. The pouch indicates:
Pasta and Vegetables in Tomato Sauce.
Menu #2.
Contains: Pasta and Vegetables Entree, Applesauce,Crackers, Strawberry Jam, Chocolate-Covered Oatmeal Cookie, Orange Drink Mix and Condiments.
A complete nutritional breakdown is provided, along with ingredients and prep instructions. (850 Calories)
Now I gotta mention that I'm second generation Italian...and I cook. I know pasta and I know sauce. I don't eat in fast food places (with the exception of an occasional Mickie D's Egg McMuffin, hash browns and coffee). I don't appreciate prepared foods in can or container. In short, I'm not easy to please...a real sumbitch, if you will. However, being charitable and cautious, I approached the contents with an open mind(?).
Upon tearing open the package, I found everything as described, in individually wrapped containers. The one exception was the substitution of Instant Coffee for the Orange drink (the manufacturer reserves the right to make minor substitutions).
Included were plastic serving dish, plastic utensils, including a very long spoon, plastic wrapped napkin, salt, pepper, powdered non-dairy creamer and two sugar packets...thats right, two. For those of you who drink coffee with more than one sugar, you know what it's like to pull out of the Golden Arches to find the inevitable one (or zero) sugar packets. Perhaps you even know the frustration of a hotel 2 cup coffee maker with 1-2 sugar packets (Grrrr, don't get me started!).
The meal may be eaten cold, but I opted for immersion of the entree packet in boiling water for 5 minutes. I spread the Jam on the crackers, opened the applesauce and emptied the hot entree onto the plate.
I can't tell you what a pleasant surprise this meal was! While it was hardly 5 star dining, it was actually quite tasty. The pasta was not mushy, the vegetables were readily identifiable and the tomato sauce was more than palatable. The applesauce was a good as any from a jar. The jam was delicious and the coffee was hot and appropriately sweet.
I waited for the stomach distress that often follows intake of strange prepared foods...it never materialized.Based on this one sample, I intend to order others and highly recommend these items for those who maintain disaster stores, "bugout kits", for camping, remote getaway homes and hunting sites.
I have been cautioned that purchase of a six month supply might trip certain agency triggers, given the hype about that latest of "public enemies", the "Militias". While none of us welcomes Big Brother scrutiny, I have to believe that the Y2K hype has expanded MRE orders to such a degree that an extended supply for one or two persons is now commonplace.
The increased demand also has the benefit of drawing down outdated MRE stocks and increasing the probability that your order will be relatively fresh.
Regards,
Rich
[This message has been edited by Rich Lucibella (edited 12-06-98).]
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