ReadyWise provides dehydrated and freeze-dried meals for emergency preparedness and lightweight, easy-to-prepare outdoor meals. In this review, we will delve deep into ReadyWise’s offerings, pros and cons, nutritional information, kit options, delivery methods and compare it to other survival food providers—so you can decide if it’s the best choice for you.
| Highlights |
|---|
| 3-Month food supply containing healthy & delicious meals & drinks |
| Excellent variety including breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 25 year shelf life with no refrigeration required |
| Easy to store, taking up minimal storage space |
| Simple to prepare - just add water |
About ReadyWise Food
With a rich history in the field of emergency preparedness, ReadyWise has established itself as a go-to source for reliable food storage solutions. Their focus on long-term food storage sets them apart, giving customers the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have sustenance readily available in times of need without needing to constantly refresh their food stores.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Diverse meal options | Most bulk meals can’t be rehydrated in their packages |
| Long shelf life | Bulk sizes don’t have as much variety as their single-serve adventure meals |
| User-friendly packaging | |
| Good mix of meals and staple ingredients available | |
| Affordable price per pound compared to backpacking meals | |
| Gluten-free, vegan and organic options | |
| Snacks, sides and desserts available in addition to entrees |
From Packaging to Palate: How ReadyWise Works
ReadyWise employs cutting-edge packaging and preservation techniques. Each meal is carefully sealed in durable Mylar pouches, preserving the taste and nutritional value for up to 25 years. Preparation is a simple: Just add hot water to the pouch, wait a few minutes, and your meal is ready to eat.
ReadyWise’s Pricing
Cost is a significant factor when considering emergency food supplies. ReadyWise offers different pricing tiers based on quantity and duration. Buying larger quantities means larger discounts but individual meals are available for short-term preparedness at-home or outdoors.
Their individual backpacking meals are mostly all $7.99 per pouch at the time of this writing which makes them one of the cheaper options on the market despite their wide range of meal options. Their long-term storage bulk food options get the cost per meal much lower with a six-month emergency food bundle that includes 2,000 calories worth of breakfasts and entrees for 180 days for $1,760 at the time of this writing.
ReadyWise Coupon Code and Promos
Regularly checking ReadyWise’s website will lead you to ongoing discounts, promotions, and bundle deals that can help you save on your emergency food investment. At the time of this writing, for example, ReadyWise offered 35 percent off a three-month supply of food on their website. The products are also available on Amazon and may have periodic discounts there.
ReadyWise Food Nutritional Value
Proper nutrition is key during emergencies, and ReadyWise understands this. Their meals are designed to provide a balance of nutrients, including essential vitamins and minerals. Comparing their nutritional information against daily dietary requirements assures consumers of their value.
Most meals are vegetarian and freeze-dried meats are sold separately and can be added to meals to increase their protein content. Keeping the proteins separate helps maintain the long shelf life of the meals, but adds another step if you don’t want vegetarian-only food.
ReadyWise Adventure Meals & Emergency Kits
ReadyWise understands that households vary in size and needs. They offer a range of kit options catering to individuals, families and groups. These kits are curated to ensure you have the right amount of food to sustain you during uncertain times.
Meal Options
ReadyWise offers a wide range of meal types as well as bulk ingredients in varying sizes. Entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner come in individually portioned packages as well as bulk buckets. They offer several breakfast meal options including pancake mix, brown sugar oats, cereal and breakfast skillets. Lunches and dinners are lumped together and ReadyWise sets itself apart here with a wide range of traditional favorites such as chili mac and beef stroganoff as well as innovative options such as sweet potato curry and teriyaki rice.
There are many more options in their individual backpacking meals although not all varieties are available in bulk sizes. Unlike other ready-to-eat meal companies, ReadyWise offers several vegan, gluten-free and organic options.
ReadyWise Delivery Options
When disaster strikes, timing is crucial. ReadyWise’s efficient delivery process ensures that your emergency food supplies reach you promptly. Shipping fees are reasonable, and shipping is free for orders over $199. ReadyWise says that most customers receive their products 10 to 14 days after placing their order but these times may be longer during periods of high demand. When ordering via Amazon, free shipping may be available on smaller quantities.
About the Company
ReadyWise is a Salt Lake City-based company that was acquired by private equity firm Goode Partners in 2022.
Customer Service Information
ReadyWise’s customer support is available by phone or email between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mountain Time. They also have an FAQ page on the company website that answers common questions about shipping, returns and food preparation.
How ReadyWise Food Supply Compares to the Competition
Comparing ReadyWise to other major just-add-water bulk food players like Mountain House, My Patriot Supply, Augason Farms and Ready Hour reveals ReadyWise’s strengths. Its diverse bulk meal options and focus on long-term storage make it a compelling choice.
ReadyWise vs. Mountain House
Unlike Mountain House, ReadyWise offers larger packages that are designed for long-term storage. With ReadyWise, you have more choices when it comes to meals and variety. Mountain House sells mostly individually packaged meals that can be cooked in their packages, which makes them convenient for camping and backpacking but doesn’t offer the same bulk value as ReadyWise for emergency preparedness.
ReadyWise vs. My Patriot Supply
My Patriot Supply and ReadyWise both offer long-term storage food options including quick preparation meals and bulk ingredients. The biggest difference between the two is that ReadyWise offers a more diverse range of meals. ReadyWise also offers more individually sized meals, making it easier to sample their meal options to decide before committing to bulk sizes.
Augason Farms vs. ReadyWise
Augason Farms’ offerings are similar to ReadyWise’s in terms of shelf life and meal selection and both are available from the companies’ websites and on Amazon. The product lines are also very similar, with both brands offering a range of meal types and quantities as well as staple ingredients. The biggest difference is that Augason Farms focuses more on short-term survival foods with their 24- and 72-hour kits while ReadyWise’s bulk offerings deliver much larger quantities such as a six-month supply that costs more up front but also delivers a lower cost-per-serving.
Bottom Line: Why We Love It
In the realm of emergency preparedness, ReadyWise stands out as a provider of affordable, convenient food for long-term storage as well as short-term nutrition for backpacking or unexpected brief shortages. While preparing your own emergency foods is certainly possible, ReadyWise provides a simple solution of long-lasting, easy-to-prepare bulk foods at a palatable price point. Visit their official website to learn more about the meal offerings, order samples to evaluate the taste and make an informed decision for your emergency food supply needs.
FAQ
How long does ReadyWise food last?
ReadyWise food products, which include freeze-dried and dehydrated options, have a shelf life of up to 25 years when stored properly. The company recommends storing the products in a cool, dry and dark place to maximize their lifespan in storage.
How does one prepare ReadyWise food?
To prepare ReadyWise food, you first need to remove the oxygen absorber from the package. Then, bring four cups of water to a boil. Add the contents of the ReadyWise package into the boiling water and stir. Most of their meals use a simple ratio of one cup of water to one serving of food, so if you’re preparing a four-serving package, you’ll need four cups of water.
Is ReadyWise food good?
Yes, ReadyWise food is flavorful, and the company offers both classic and unique recipes. The brand offers a wide variety of emergency food meal types from different culinary traditions at a reasonable price, and customers have given positive reviews about their taste and quality. Still, the best way to decide if you like their meals is to try them and many of the meals are available in small quantities that make it easy to test lots of flavors. You can start with their Adventure Meals Favorites Kit to try eight different entrees and breakfasts to get a sense of the variety and preparation method.
Where is ReadyWise food made?
ReadyWise food is produced in the United States, specifically in a state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Who owns ReadyWise?
ReadyWise is owned by Goode Partners LLC, a New York-based private equity firm. Morten Steen-Jørgensen has been the CEO of ReadyWise since January 2019.
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