Kosher Meals Ready To Eat offer those who choose to eat kosher a viable solution for meals ready to eat. Kosher is a Hebrew word and it means “Fit” or in some translations, “Proper”. Thus, a kosher diet is a fit or proper diet.
Why Adhere To A Kosher Diet?
According to the Jewish dietary laws, kosher eating is keeping with the commandments of their belief system and helps them to eat a healthier diet by eliminating specific foods that are said to be unhealthy. They also don’t combine specific foods such as meats and dairy at the same time.
In this fashion, they are eating a pure diet that is refining and giving them a more pure healthy meal. It’s also a divine commandment and many are strict in regards to following such commandments in all that they do.
Where Did MREs Come From?
The United States military designed, developed, and created meals ready to eat for their troops who were out in training, battle, and on other missions. These meals offered the troops all of the required nutrition for a healthy meal regardless of where they were at.
The meals offered the proper nutrition and to heat them all that a soldier had to do was to add the required amount of water (usually not more than a cup) and activate the flameless ration heater. The meal would be hot and ready to eat in just about 10 minutes.
When Did MREs Gain Popularity?
During Y2K, civilians began to take a huge interest in meals ready to eat. As the world scrambled to prepare for a perceived doomsday scenario, many were scrambling to gather up as much food as they could possibly stockpile.
The manufacturers of the meals ready to eat saw the need for civilian meals ready to eat and quickly jumped on board to manufacturer them for the general public, as well as for the military troops. Many military troops had members of the Jewish faith who required kosher meals for their meals ready to eat. The military recognized this need and worked hard to accommodate the troops providing kosher meals ready to eat as well as meals that weren’t considered to be kosher.
Are Kosher MREs Really Purchased?
Kosher meals ready to eat were a must have for this list of foods as there were many who adhered to a strict kosher diet. Kosher dietary laws prohibit specific food combinations and specific meats so it was imperative that these manufacturers had meals that everyone could enjoy.
In any crisis, the availability of healthy food is imperative to survival. For those who require a kosher diet, it can be compromising to have to worry about whether or not they’re able to rely on kosher meals, or must break their dietary laws in order to survive. Kosher meals ready to eat offer them the ideal alternative to breaking those dietary laws. It’s an ideal solution and a great way for them to build a solid food supply that won’t put them in violation of their food requirements and will allow them to survive a potential emergency.
How Are Kosher Meals Prepared?
Kosher meals are required to be prepared slightly differently than other meals. The meats and dairy products must never touch and the meals must be prepared with utensils and cookware that has never been touched by non-kosher foods. This means that the kitchen must have a dedicated area where the kosher meals are prepared so that the meals will always be kosher.
Kosher meats must be slaughtered and prepared properly in order to be considered to be kosher. The blood must all be drained out properly and all of the parts that can’t be eaten must be properly removed from the meat prior to preparation. It must be soaked in a salt solution for an hour per side and then prepared accordingly in order to be certified kosher.
What’s In A Kosher Meal Ready To Eat?
A kosher meal ready to eat will include some or all of the following:
- 500 to 3000 calories
- An entree such as spaghetti and meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy with turkey etc.
- Side dishes
- Utensils
- Flameless ration heater or some can be placed into a microwave or boiling water
- Condiments
- Seasonings
- Bagels
- Cereal
- Moist towelettes
- Beverages such as coffee, tea, or cocoa
- Snacks
- Candy
Etc.
All of the kosher meals are certified to be fully kosher and adhere to the dietary requirements for anyone who wishes to have a kosher diet.
Are There Different Ways To Heat Meals Ready To Eat?
Yes, there are meals that are self-heating or have a flameless ration heater in them. There are also meals ready to eat that can be eaten directly out of the pouch cold without heating them. While they may taste more flavorful hot, they are certainly edible cold and not heated.
There are also options that can be placed into boiling water or a microwave to heat. Many people prefer to have several different kinds and pack these for emergencies. Although the microwave option wouldn’t be very wise if the power were out, the others are all ideal options like an emergency food supply regardless of the situation.
Where Can You Find Kosher Meals Ready To Eat?
Kosher meals ready to eat can be found in many of the same locations that you find regular meals ready to eat. Just make sure to look at the packaging and find the certified kosher label on the meals ready to eat that you’re purchasing.
If you don’t see this label you might wish to ask the retailer if they offer them or could special order them. Not all retailers will have kosher meals ready to eat. You may find that certain geographic areas tend to have more access to kosher meals ready to eat than other geographical areas. If they tend to have a more dense population of such people they will want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to stock up on such kosher foods.
How Long Will Meals Ready To Eat Last?
Meals ready to eat have a shelf life of approximately 5 years. Of course, most of them are still edible far past this date, however, for the best flavor and most freshness, you’ll want to make sure that you eat them within the 5-year timeframe.
You can learn to read the manufacturer date by going to their website and doing a little bit of research. This information will then be found on the crimp or somewhere else on the packaging. While many meals ready to eat are known to last well past the 5-year mark, however, the flavor or freshness will be somewhat diminished.
How Should Kosher Meals Ready To Eat Be Stored?
Kosher meals ready to eat can be stored just like any other meal ready to eat. They are shelf stable and require no refrigeration or special handling other than to leave them in their original packaging. You can put the original packaging into another container such as a 5-gallon bucket or rubberized container with a sealing lid.
You can also leave them in their packaging in the cardboard box that they arrive in on a shelf. Just make sure to note the manufacturer date on the box or mark it with a date to make sure that you’ve eaten them by. Either way, your meals ready to eat will last for many years to come.
Why Should I Stock Up On Meals Ready To Eat?
Today, more than ever before, people are aware that we’re living in uncertain times. At any moment, according to some, the world could collapse and things could rapidly go downhill with the government. It just makes sense to plan ahead to be prepared to feed your family.
There are also other reasons that you should plan ahead. Perhaps you live in an earthquake region where earthquakes happen frequently. There are also regions that get hurricanes and huge tropical storms that can knock out the power for many weeks on end. Having a safe food supply and plenty of fresh water can mean the difference between life and death for many. Don’t forget regions that get heavy snowfall and are prone to blizzards. Regardless of where you live, there is some sort of weather event that can have a huge impact on you and your family and planning ahead and having plenty of fresh food and water may mean the difference between life and death for you, your family, or even a neighbor.
What Should I Do To Prepare?
Order as many meals ready to eat as you can afford and start storing some food today. Kosher meals ready to eat will help you to feed your family in a time of need. According to the United States government, it’s wise to have at least a 3-day food supply per person at your home, office, in your vehicle, anywhere that you may spend some time.
If nothing else, you’ll have a 3-day food supply that you can use in an emergency. Whether your emergency is weather-related, due to a government collapse, a cataclysmic event, an act of terrorism or something else, you will be able to rest assured that you and your family will have something to eat.
What If I Have Picky Eaters?
Kosher meals ready to eat have something for just about everyone on your list, even the picky eater. You of all people know what your family will and won’t eat. You can choose your entree’s from a wide variety of menu options and what one person doesn’t like another may love.
There are also healthy snacks and other options available on the menus so don’t hesitate to choose a few of those options as well. While it’s not possible to please everyone all of the time, you will be able to please the majority of people on your list and feed them.
Can I Take Them Camping Or Hiking?
Kosher meals ready to eat are the ideal food to pack when you’re hiking or camping. They’re lightweight and easy to prepare and each individual can actually carry their own in their own backpack which makes the little ones feel extra special and helpful.
Since they provide all of the required nutrition they’re an ideal food to take along with you. Lightweight and portable, they’ll never take up too much space in the vehicle when you’re traveling and they’re easy to place into a backpack and offer a nutritious meal when you arrive at your destination.
Who Else Uses Kosher Meals Ready To Eat?
Many disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross and other relief organizations use meals ready to eat to help feed the masses in an emergency such as hurricane relief, tornado relief etc.
These foods offer people all of the required nutrition and are easy to prepare. Other organizations who are responding to emergencies such as a lost hiker or someone may also carry these to help feed the hungry person when he or she is found. This is an ideal way to prepare for any situation and have something on hand to feed someone in an emergency.
I’m Vegetarian, Is There A Meal Plan For Me?
Yes, there are many vegetarian kosher meals ready to eat on the market today. You can find them in the same places that you find your other meals ready to eat. Just make sure to read the label and ensure that all of the products in your meal are vegetarian as well as kosher.
If you require a specific diet (vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, etc.) you can talk to a representative either in-store or online and find out exactly what your options are. Everyone on these sites and in these stores is there to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and to ensure that your nutritional needs are going to be met. You’re never pressured into purchasing something you don’t want.
Is It Possible To Just Purchase The Entrees?
Yes, you can purchase only the entree’s or you can purchase everything from these websites and the brick and mortar stores. You’ll be amazed at the options that you have for healthy meals when it comes to kosher meals.
You won’t have to worry about breaking any dietary requirements for your religious reasons or health reasons when you choose kosher meals ready to eat. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase healthy meals that offer you plenty of nutrition and taste delicious.
Who Else Might Require Meals Ready To Eat?
Meals ready to eat can offer plenty of nutritional value to a variety of people. Firefighters who are battling a forest fire or house fire may have need of meals ready to eat. Police officers who are searching for a lost child or person may have the need for some quick nutrition.
Homeless shelters, disaster sites, those who are preparing for any emergency situation, parents who have a lot of after-school activities, and more all can benefit from having a supply of meals ready to eat at their fingertips. These meals are far healthier than a fast food restaurant and far more economical in the long run.
What If I Don’t Like Them?
Most of the manufacturers back their products with a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee. If you don’t like them, you can contact a customer service representative and explain what you’re not liking.
These companies want your business so they’re going to go the extra mile to ensure that you’re completely satisfied. If you’re not, you’ll be able to negotiate a solution that works for you and your family.
How Long Will It Take For My Meals Ready To Eat To Arrive Once I Order?
Once your payment is processed your meals ready to eat will be shipped out within one business week. Depending on the distance that your kosher meals ready to eat must travel they will arrive within one week to a few weeks.
Each location is slightly different so it’s mostly dependent on where you’re located, weather conditions during transit (if you’re in a hurricane region in the middle of a hurricane, for example, it may take longer to arrive).
I’m With A Large Group And Wish To Purchase Kosher Meals Ready To Eat At Wholesale Prices Is This Possible?
Yes, you can contact customer service and go over the details and they’ll be able to answer your questions and concerns fully. Many people prefer to order by the truckload, pallet load or otherwise.
When you buy in bulk you will find that the meals are slightly less expensive and that you’re getting a lot more food for your money. This is an ideal way for groups and organizations to stock up on food supplies for emergencies.
Pros And Cons
There are many pros and cons to having kosher meals ready to eat on hand. Here are a few from others who have enjoyed them.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Kosher so it’s easy to stick to dietary regimens
- Easy to prepare
- Affordable
- Easy to carry along on trips
- Handy to prepare in a hurry
- Don’t require any special meal preparations to enjoy them
- Ideal for camping
- Ideal for hiking, and special events where a healthy meal is nice
Cons
- May have to wait after ordering for them to arrive
- There are expiration dates
- Not all entrees are available at all sites
- Some people have a lot of picky eaters and may not find one that a small child may agree to
Kosher meals ready to eat offer the same nutritional value that non-kosher meals ready to eat offer. The only difference is that these are kosher and thus able to be eaten by those who adhere to a kosher diet.
Kosher foods must be properly prepared to retain their kosher status. If there is any doubt then the food should not be eaten. Kosher meals ready to eat are prepared by chefs who understand the requirements of a kosher diet. In fact, many of the chefs adhere to a kosher diet themselves.
Food preparation areas are all properly cared for to ensure that non-kosher foods haven’t been prepared where the kosher foods are going to be prepared. This helps to maintain the quality control and the foods being kosher.
What If I’m Not Required To Eat Kosher, Can I Still Eat Kosher?
Of course, you can. There is no stigma attached to preferring a kosher diet, even if you’re not of a religious affiliation that requires kosher eating. You can still enjoy a healthy meal that is kosher.
There are many people who eat kosher meals, even though they’re not required to. These people state that they feel healthier and better when they eat kosher. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.
I Have A Family Member Who Is Hospitalized Or In A Correctional Facility, Can They Get Kosher Meals Like This?
Yes, many hospitals and correctional facilities offer kosher meals and are supplied such meals from companies like these. Each facility is individual and you can check with them to see where they purchase such meals and to ensure that they are readily available for family and friends who require these meals.
Every effort is made at such facilities to ensure that people are allowed to eat their proper diet whether it be gluten-free, kosher, vegetarian or something else. If you’re not sure if such meals are available you can call and check with the individual facility.
Just because you’re using meals ready to eat doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice kosher diet plans or other diet plans. There are plenty of great meals ready to eat on the market today to fulfil all dietary requirements and a kosher meal ready to eat isn’t that different than other meals ready to eat, it’s just kosher.
If you are seeking such meals ask where you usually purchase meals ready to eat and see if they can special order them for you if they’re not in stock. There are a lot of great options available in kosher meals ready to eat.