Whether it’s World War III following a Trump election win this fall, climate change, or just growing world unrest… Some say we’re on the doorstep of the Apocalypse. Have you stocked-in provisions to see you through the storm?
Odd as it seems, survival foods have been identified by some extreme foodie trendsetters as a ‘thing’ for 2025. And gone are the days of military field rations and those infamous Meals, Ready To Eat (MREs).
Surviving in style
This spring just past, the Fancy Food Show in Chicago drew the elite among both providers and consumers of luxury foods. Food & Wine reporter Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner described the affair as, “three days of unlimited food samples, masterclasses, panels, keynote talks, and more culinary-centric experiences…” And it conspicuously spotlighted a new generation of luxe freeze-dried and vacuum-sealed survival foods, perfect for any setting, from urban bunker to wilderness refuge.
Immediately thereafter, COSTCO featured a high-end ’emergency food collection’ in its summer new-products array.
Industry leader?
The ‘kit’, put together by Readywise, contains 150 meals with a shelf life of 25 years. Plus dehydrated beverages. The provisioner bills itself as an industry-leader in the high-end survival food niche. And its menu bears that out.
Headlined by the likes of Pasta Alfredo, Teriyaki Rice and Tomato Basil Soup, there’s no danger of confusing this cache with ‘foxhole food’.
Validation or denunciation?
“Social media has made food trends even worse,” Kristen Kish, host of the Food Network’s Top Chef, said in an interview at the Fancy Food Show. “The uniqueness of something gets completely lost as soon as we start following the same trend. What a boring bland world if everyone’s doing the same version of something.”
But Hoeffner counters: “Trends offer an opportunity to express yourself, add a bit of individuality to the mainstream, and get excited about something new. They’re also a nice way to feel connected in our isolated, screen-addicted society.”
My take
I’m not biting.
First, I’m not convinced the Apocalypse is as imminent as some doomsayers insist. And I’m not putting any of my slim food budget into freeze-fried meals I may not be eating for up to 25 years. Even if the Readywise kit is only $99.
I also think I could easily find a better deal if I just moderated my menu expectations a little, and settled for regular camping fare. But I’m not ready to do that, yet, either.
My questions for you:
Have you stocked in emergency provisions in anticipation of some political, social or natural disaster?
If not, are you considering doing so?
If so, are you engaged by the idea of high-end meals like the ones from Readywise?
Muse on that…
~ Maggie J.