ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Meal, Ready-to-Eat

Meal, ready-to-eat, more commonly known as MRE, is like a magical food pack that contains everything you need to eat a full meal when you don't have access to a kitchen or a stove. Imagine you are going for a big adventure or you are in the military - you might not be able to cook a hot meal, but with MREs you can still eat well.

Each MRE package has a main course, like chicken or pasta or beef stew, and side dishes like crackers, cookies, fruit, and snacks to make it a complete meal. They also come with handy accessories like a spoon, flameless ration heater, and wet wipes to help you make the meal and clean up after yourself.

Even better, MREs are designed to be eaten anytime, anywhere. They have a long shelf life, so they can last for months, and they are tough enough to be carried in a backpack or a rucksack without getting damaged. With MRE's, you don't need to worry about carrying extra pots or utensils, or even a lighter, because everything you need to have a good meal on the go is already packed in the package.

In summary, MRE's are important because they provide a convenient, compact, and nutritious meal that can be carried in a backpack or kept for a long time before being consumed.