Boulder – U.S. troops derisively call them “Meals Rarely Edible,” and there’s no question that they aren’t four-star cuisine.
But military-issue MREs might be just what Boulder County’s elderly and disabled need to stay alive in the event of another blizzard.
Social-service agencies have started giving out about 300 sets of four to six MREs each to targeted residents just in case regular meal deliveries get interrupted, as happened last winter.
“We had reports last winter of people who couldn’t get out for days,” said Teresa De Anni, community programs coordinator for Boulder County’s Aging Services Division.
Meal-on-Wheels deliveries also had to be halted because of nearly impassable roads, especially in the county’s mountain communities.
The ready-to-eat meals have a shelf life of one to three years, are easy to store and, well, they are food.
A typical spread consists of vegetable manicotti in tomato sauce, spiced apple pieces, peanut butter, a cracker and an oatmeal cookie.
Agencies also included vacuum packed containers of water, 12-hour light sticks and, in some instances, weather radios.
“It’s not what you would call a candlelight dinner,” said De Anni, “but it will help those over a short period waiting out an emergency.”
Staff writer Monte Whaley can be reached at 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
