Canadian Source for MREs/IMPs?

[daftandbarmy]

Does anyone know where I can buy MREs or IMPs in Canada? Failing that, I'm looking for a source for boil in bag type rations. It looks like Freddy Chef doesn't sell them anymore. I'm planning an expedition and those ration packs are just too darned convenient (and waterproof).

Cheers!

 

[17thRecceSgt]

No idea where to buy the MREs or IMPs, but for civie side, did you try Mountain Equipment Co-op?

I have never used them, or taken a close look at them while in the store, but I know they have some, not sure if they carry boil in the bag ones.  The product description on the ones I just looked at didn't specifically say "cooking method" data.

Maybe you could call a local MEC if you are close to one and ask?

http://www.mec.ca/Main/articles_main.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038656&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038656&bmUID=1169052976378

 

[daftandbarmy]

Thanks for that,

I've checked MEC and they have the dehydrated meals that you have to poour boiling water into. I've used them alot on other trips and they're good, just can't eat them without boiling water. I was down there yesterday and they didn't have the boil in bag variety. I should call their corproate office though and check.

 

[Riobeard]

Try this site.  They sell the self heating meals by the case
http://www.marstar.ca/ac-rations/hot-pack.shtm

 

[Sloaner]

I know when we couldn't get IMP's through the system we used to get a civilian version of the MRE (slightly smaller than the military ones) from a company call MREDepot.  I think they still have a web site to order from but I haven't dealt with them in a couple years, try http://www.mredepot.ca.  I am not sure if you have to be a purchassing agent or a large group to order there though.  For my personal use, I have bought some from Forest City Surplus in the past.  They have the US Military MRE's, and its generally not old stock near the end of their shelf life.  I've never had any problems there, but their stock varies as to what meals are actually available and how much they have on hand.

If you are just looking for other meals by brand name you should try HotPack Meals.  The quality of the food is excellent and you get a bit morein the meal bag than in the standard US main meal bag.  It is a british company with a Canadian Subsidiary.  They had an ad on one of the adventure racing sites in the past, but I can't find the link.  Got a free one at a race about a year ago and it was pretty good, filling and tasty.  Not sure if they have a web site or where to buy them but it is a name you can google.  Beyond that, you should try IRL Supplies in BC.  They sell a boil in bag meal (action meal I believe they market them as).  I bought a case of them last summer for my camping/trekking and it was pretty decent (limited menu but okay quality).  Their site is http://www.irl.bc.ca

Hope this helps.

 

[Scott]

Always check e-Bay!

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Unopened-3-MRE-military-Meals-17-19-24-all-beef_W0QQitemZ220070338865QQihZ012QQcategoryZ62118QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Just do some searching with the terms you like: "IMP", "MRE", "Rations, food", etc...

[Edit, just searched "IMP" and found zilch]

In my experience the civvy ones from MEC and the like aren't as durable as the mil versions. On my last long trip I was able to scrounge some IMP's to go along with the stuff I got from MEC and I always found the IMP's to be more user friendly (for me), my hiking partner tried one and thought I was nuts.

 

[Troopasaurus]

Check Daves Army Surplus they, they usually have a few different menu's of both IMP's and MRE's kicking around.

 

[Scott]

And the link for Dave's: http://www.davesarmysurplus.com/

Edit: Where I found nothing...

 

[Scott]

And after some further searching I withdraw my information about e-Bay as a source for MRE's - USE ONLY AS A LAST, DESPERATE RESORT as it appears that the prices are grossly inflated.

http://www.mreinfo.com/buying-mres.html

 

[niner domestic]

We use these suppliers when we are off doing dog sledding.  Meals are pretty good, prices arent' bad. I just use a JETBOIL (tm), makes life so much easier. 

http://trailfoods.com/meals1.html

http://www.mountainhouse.com/

 

[lhobart]

Try Soup Experts Inc at 450-796-3210 in St-Hyacinthe Quebec.  I bought a bunch of boil n bags from them last year.  I found them a good company to deal with.  My contact was Giancarlo Di Stefano at gdistefano@soupexpert.com

 

[daftandbarmy]

Thanks for all these contacts everyone. Excellent info. I've already passed the info on to others who are looking for the same stuff.

 

[greazyjungle]

Firstly, my apologies for resurrecting this 3 year old thread...

I have recently come into some IMPs - dated "06" on the bag.  I'm told these are good for 3 years from packaging, which would make them expired...

...but are they really?  Anyone with some inside information know just how long that chili con carne in the foil envelope is REALLY good for...?  And the bread?  really?  3 year old bread?

M

 

[The Bread Guy]

I can't speak to the rest of the rations, but on this part ....

And the bread?  really?  3 year old bread?

.... trust me - it wasn't even very good when it was brand new.

 

[Dissident]

If the packaging is intact, it can last for a long long time.

A friend had some 1957 dated Russian rations in the early 90s.

I have also seen relatively new IMPs have moldy bread.

 

[DirtyDog]

I've often wondered if I should hold onto expired rations.  I've got about 4 cases of them that expired this summer and I hate throwing anything out. 

 

[REDinstaller]

If they haven't been frozen, then thawed again they should be fine.

 

[desert_rat]

I've taken some "Eaterz"  - http://www.toasterz.net/eaterz.html - a few times camping (usually the Bison Stew and the "Beef" Breakfast)

I buy them locally at Totem Outfitters in Edmonton, but these folks sell them online:

http://www.bridensolutions.ca/shop/outdoor-and-survival-tools/cooking

plus they turn up by the case on eBay once in a while.

 

[white-1]

Hey everybody!

If you're still looking for Canadian style MRE's/IMP's check out this site. http://www.mealkitsupply.com/pages/en/home I'm pretty sure  this is the same stuff  the cadets get when they go away on exercises.

 

[REDinstaller]

MRE's are American. As the website states " All our MRE Meal Kits are prepared and packaged by US Military contractors and contain the same menu items as found in US Military MREs". So Canadian IMPs these are not.