dh said we should have some of these meals on hand in case of emergency. Our WV neighbors recently lost power for 3-5 days depending on where you live.
Hubby used to pick-up MRE's at the Army surplus store. We never used them. I do plan my rotating food storage around long term storage (1 to 2 years) and have alternative ways to cook the stuff (BBQ, propane stove, fire pit). In the past we had some backpacking meals for "bug-out" but we never used them and eventually I considered them a waste. We decided to stock up on lighter weight (i.e.: stuff not in cans) items that would give us calories but not necessarily make "meal" - things like granola bars.
I don't think those foods are necessary either. Canned food lasts plenty long, especially if you rotate it. My pantry is a mess from moving still, but normally I have several months worth of meals I can make. I do buy some canned chicken, tuna, chili and some extra beans, which we don't normally eat, but would need in a long-term emergency situation if we couldn't get fresh meat. I also have a couple cans of cheese and butter on hand, and one can of moo mates, but that's the only irregular food I've bought.
I do have a things I could use for an emergency. No MRE's but I do stock up on things I can make plenty of meals from. I have lots of things stored but that I use as well. I am no where, where I want to be on this but it is expensive. What I like to do is every time I go to the grocery store, pick up an extra item or two. For instance, for awhile it was spaghetti sauce. When I had enough of that, then I'd do pasta, then soup, etc. Every week 1 or 2 extra items really adds up. I just make sure I use everything.
As far as extended storage, I have flour in the freezer, dried eggs, dried milk, milk in the freezer, and things like that. The dried eggs I think are good for 20+ years if not opened, and same with the dried milk (in large cans, not the cardboard box). We Utahan's are very prepared as a people
I also have a fondue pot that takes sterno so I could boil noodles, heat up sauces, plus of course the grill for cooking.
I have freeze dried fruit from one of the distributors(Wise Food) but that is because I prefer the taste of freeze dried in my cereal.. I am thinking about getting a few buckets of meals just in case.. I always have a 7 day supply of water, just in case.. I already have atleast a months worth of food should something happen and I cannot get to a store...