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Us
 Our
Story
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Us
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Simple
Purpose
Future
Humans: "Sending Real Food to Your Real Future"
Testimonials From Our Super Customers
GSA
(General Services Administration) Product Page
Our
Story: The Short Version
In 1980 our US military switched its entire food ration program over to an exciting new technology, the full moisture MRE pouch (the food within the pouch is not dried or freeze dried; it contains the full moisture of "just cooked" food).
In
1983, our company began, with a single clear purpose.
Having just discovered the versatile full moisture pouches of the military MRE ration program, we decided we would deliver these rations to American citizens for non-military uses. We would turn "swords into ploughshares" so to speak, by bringing military food rations, designed for war, to the public for a variety of civilian purposes- camping, hiking, emergency preparation and more.
We started and continue a smorgasbord for full moisture MRE pouches, with MRE Full Meals and various kits and combinations of MRE ration components. You can buy pieces by the pouch or the case. Shipping is fast and free.
That's our story...
Our Story: The Long Version
In 1983, contract overruns of the new military MRE pouches were piling up at manufacturing plants like Green Giant and Hormel. With the government needs for the rations met, these extra pouches were up for grabs.
However, nobody seemed to want the new “ugly duckling” pouches. The plain and kind of ugly green military packaging was not in sync with the flashy packaging and marketing of the food industry. And, the innovative new pouches were an unknown quantity to those who were used to relying on metal cans for their full moisture, long shelf life food.
Everyone from grocery stores to restaurants rejected the green military food pouches. They were even considered too unattractive to be served in food kitchens for the homeless!
Highly nutritious and beautifully designed, high tech food pouches with a much longer than normal shelf life, were headed for the landfill!
But, we spotted a place where these ugly ducklings would fit right in. Away from war, away from the military, and away from the constraints of the mainstream food industry, we bought up the available MRE pouches and offered them to regular people (civilians) with rugged, but peaceful interests.
We believed that outdoor enthusiasts, campers, and hikers alike, would appreciate the true value of these pouches as a tasty and convenient outdoor mealtime solution, despite their plain design.
We also knew that during tough times like natural disasters and other emergencies, the MRE would be the perfect supply to have on hand because of the extended shelf life and because they are full moisture, full flavor, and ready to eat.
So in 1983, we began building the first and only MRE Smorgasbord, and with that, we pioneered the Civilian MRE Industry! We built a one-stop shopping center for MRE Pouches and Full Meals that evolved from a printed mail-order catalog into a fantastic user-friendly website in 2002.
For over 26 years… we have provided a continuous supply of MRE pouches and MRE Full Meals to campers, hunters, fishermen, survivalists, adventurers, relief groups, government feeding agencies, and more.
For over 26 years… we have been at the forefront of MRE appreciation and promotion, and have helped to turn an ugly duckling product into a superior brand name!
Our customers recognize that it’s what's inside that counts, and they know what’s inside the ugly green MRE pouch:
Food that ...
- is full moisture and full flavor
- is ready to eat and easy to serve
- has a longer shelf life than usual
- is made from the highest quality ingredients
- contains higher protein and energy than usual
- is portable, fast and convenient
MRE’s are what we do and what we have been doing for the past 26 years. We provide Great Customer Service, Graduated Quantity Discounts, and Fast and Free Shipping so that you can make the most of your MRE experience!
Simple
Purpose
Our
company purpose, born in 1983, has remained simple and consistent:
We strive to provide the world’s best virtual
MRE buffet. That’s all.
Our beautifully ugly Green Pouches with the long shelf life are the stars on dispaly in our smorgasbord, which hosts a wide selection of MRE parts and pieces in addition to traditional MRE Full Meals.
The smorgasbord first existed in printed paper catalogs. Later, our MRE smorgasbord leapt onto the Internet, where it found a natural home.
We believe our longlifefood.com smorgasbord to be the most user-friendly, the best stocked, and the best serviced on the planet, with free shipping and quantity discounts.
Its a simple purpose, which has kept us challenged and happy
for over 26 years!
Future
Humans
"Sending Real Food to Your Real Future"
Humans don't need much to get them to the future: Food, Water, Shelter...
We'll help with the food. Our customers have the edge on survival with long shelf-life food on hand.
With our full moisture pouched food rations, our customers are equipped to brave the outdoors, survive emergencies and disasters, and prepare themselves for the future and all it might hold.
Our food is meant to help our customers be READY when regular food supplies are diminished or are inaccessible. These conditions may be brought on intentionally, by planning a trek through the Appalachians or camping out in the woods... Or, nature can impose with earthquakes, blizzards, hurricanes or tornadoes... Or, the need for an extra food supply could be brought on by the world’s economic and political climate.
Whatever the cause, when the short shelf-life food isn't around, you will be ready with our long shelf-life, full moisture food. Our MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) will be ready and waiting to get you through the rough times, so you and yours can make it to the future.
Testimonials from our Super Customers
These
are all unsolicited letters and emails received over the past
few years:
"I have been buying MRE for years, using them for camping and stockpiling them for emergencies. The hardest part is keeping the family from snacking on them. I was a sargeant with the [...] Police Department and served nearly 30 years. In 1993 we suffered some severe flooding. I don't know why but I threw a few MRE's in my patrol car before leaving for work. I was wet, cold and hungry when I remembered my stash. Fifteen minutes later, I was eating a hot meal.
[...] I was without electricity for two weeks during hurricane Ike in 2008. I had stockpiled several cases of entrees [...] The variety of entrees I purchased from Long Life created a sense of normalcy. We ate well and lived in relative comfort. We saw many people who were unprepared and desparate.
We worked relief efforts at a food point of distribution, known as a POD. Thousands of people lined up for hours to get a meal. My family was prepared for Ike and we are prepared for the next hurricane or disaster. Thank you for the quality of your products. We don't want to be caught like the people [we saw].
I am encouraging my neighbors and family members to prepare. The question is not 'if' it will happen, but 'when?' "
J.G. 6/14/2009
"Just a thanks. You folks seem to run a good organization –
very efficient. This is my second order with you and I will
likely be buying some more soon."
E.E.
2/27/2008
"Oh my God!! I ordered a couple of cases of the SW Chicken and
Beans, I planned to try it and maybe order a couple of cases
each month to build up a supply. As soon as it came, I had to
try one to see if I want to keep ordering. I have had MRE’s
before and they were OK. But, your food was unreal. I can’t
believe how good it was. As soon as I opened your package I
raised an eyebrow because it looked like it was going to be
great. I warmed it and I can’t believe how good it was.
My wife is picky and she even loved it. I wouldn’t mind
eating it to keep it rotated with the 5-year storage limit.
It is really good food. I might get some burrito wrappers and
wrap the SW chicken in it to make a burrito! I honestly could
not cook anything that good myself, but please keep your prices
the same.
Anyway,
thanks and I will be ordering more. We have young kids so,
since I don’t know who to listen to about having emergency
food, I think I will error on the safe side and have food
storage."
T.A.
2/4/2008
"We received our order today after just being ordered online
Sat. Thanks so much for your wonderful product selection and
terrific service!!
We’ll
be back for more…. "
J.R.
7/16/2007
"I wish to commend your website for listing the ingredients on
each meal, not everyone does.
Thank
you for your quick response to my question, I will be ordering
shortly."
G. A.
4/25/2007
"I appreciate the attention and just wanted to let you know that
I received the order last Friday (3/30/07). I work in the shipping
business and am amazed at the speed at which my order was received,
processed, shipped, and delivered. Please let your people know
that I think they did an excellent job and that you have a good
crew. Also I greatly appreciate the personal attention and have
told my astronomer friends all about you guys. Your company
will be receiving more future orders from me. Thanks you. "
M.H.
4/2/2007
"You guys should really put the fact that your prices include
free shipping, right at the top of your home page. Quite frankly,
I’d been looking at your site for a couple of months thinking
that your prices seemed kinda high, if you added shipping. It
was just two weeks ago that I scrolled down and noticed that
shipping was included! I now plan on making several purchases,
as the price is actually quite good!"
J.C. 2/17/2007
"IMPRESSED!!!! Hey there, and my compliments. I ordered and had
2 cases of your meals in my closet for, like the last 7 years.
It was my “peace of mind” kit.
Recently
they served as part of my overnight kit since I’m part
of a Search and Rescue team, and now part of a Mountain rescue
team. We’re ‘required’ to have MREs or something
to keep us going for at least 24 hours (we’re part of
a ‘1st dispatch’ team and have to be self sustaining
until replaced within 24 hours).
Well,
you probably wonder where this is going…
I figured
that I need to buy some ‘new’ meals since these
are getting to the end of their shelf life…but I wondered
BEFORE I buy more, maybe I should try ‘em to see if
I even like ‘em.
WELL,
slap my butt and call me spanky, after 7 years this Chicken
with Thai Sauce, White Rice and Cracker meal actually tasted
nice!!! I mean, the best compliment is I even finished it!!
The heater
worked and everything.
Okay, so you probably know all this, but I had no idea, and
am very impressed!!!
I will
definitely continue to order stuff from you, and hopefully
eat it before 7 years go by.
Thanks
for providing a very valuable service regarding tasty complete
nutritious meals to the men and women serving long cold hours
in the support of others.
Cheers,"
M.G. 2/7/2007
"We were very, very fortunate with Hurricane Frances and never lost water or power [...] For the first few days afterward, though, food (especially meat) did get scarce in the stores. It was a comfort to have our box of MRE's.
Thanks again!"
R.B. & V.B. 9/10/2004
"Just returned from picnic with my family where we dined on 4 of your MREs. Nothing unusual you might think, but the meals were bought for an expedition in 1990 and have been forgotten about since.
The meals were: tuna with noodles, escalloped potatoes w/ ham, chicken ala king, spaghetti with meat and sauce and [several] potaoes.
The quality was excellent and we all thoroughly enjoyed them; the only exception was a cheese spread that had separated- not bad for 14+ years old.
Hope this is of interest."
G.M. 8/2/2004
"I have been searching and searching for a Company like yours.
I just found your website today.
Thank
God I found your site.
Look
forward to some large orders from me."
SGT M.B.
"Just wanted to tell you that after the hurricane, it was still too windy to cookout (no power). I bought 4 cases of samplers a while ago. My daughter and I went through them and had some. After the power came back on, we were still eating the MRE's. THEY ARE GREAT!!!!!! I had Clam Chowder, Chicken Patty, and Chili Macaroni. I brought them in for lunch today. My daughter is 19 and VERY hard to fill up. I just HOPE there's some left to use for a camping trip (instead of emergency like this). Mmmmmmm OH YEAH, I'm going to order more quickly. Thank you for an EXCELLENT PRODUCT!"
F.S.D. 9/6/2004
"I would just like to take this opportunity to convey to you
how happy I am with your company. All of my orders have arrived
in a timely manner and have been exactly as advertised on your
site. It’s nice to find an organization with such good
service and not a lot of “Be prepared” hype.
Thank
you for everything!"
M.J. 2/15/2003
"Thank you for the information! As soon as I finish enjoying
my previous order from you guys (it came in quick and in perfect
condition!) I’ll make another purchase from you. I’d
like to thank you for your LOW prices and including the shipping
cost in the price… and your continual online discount!
It makes MREs affordable, and less than a medium cheeseburger
with fries and a drink…not to mention MUCH better tasting,
MORE nutritional, and with an authentic military feel to them!
Local stores charge from 5.99 (fake MREs…) to 7.00 (real
3-5 year old MREs) but you guys have them BEAT!!!"
B.C. 2/13/2003
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