Ration Packs: The Good, The Bad, and the “What on Earth is That?

Aug 21, 2025Eric Atkinson

Ration Packs Done Right (Yes, It’s Possible)

At On Track Meals, whether we’re putting together a GO Pack for everyday Aussies or a bespoke ration pack for an international NGO, our mission is simple:

Make ration packs that you want to eat.

We work with domestic and international government agencies, humanitarian organisations, and the everyday adventurer. And while everyone’s needs are different, one thing’s universal — nobody wants to eat something that tastes like wet cardboard just because it’s “nutritionally balanced.”

A Griffith University and Defence Science & Technology study found that military personnel can be grouped into three eating styles: Snackers, Balanced Eaters, and Mindful Eaters. Snackers made up a large chunk of the force — they’d rather graze than commit to a big, sit-down meal. Which makes sense — sometimes it’s easier to nibble all day because you don’t get time to sit down and eat. If the snacks aren’t appealing? They get binned.

The GO Pack: Our Swiss Army Knife of Rations

One of the hardest — and most rewarding — projects we’ve ever tackled is our GO Pack range. We set out to make a universal ration pack that could:

Live in the back of your car, ready for anything.
Be handed out in emergency shelters without fuss.
Be lightweight and ready-to-eat — no water, no cooking, no stress.
Diverse with 8 menus in the range including vegetarian and Deluxe (this is what I would have loved in the Army Steak, slow drip coffee and All Day Breakfast).
Shelf life of 2 years.

The first step? Taste.
Because you can have the most scientifically perfect snack in the world, but if it tastes like cardboard, it’s not going to get eaten. And if it’s not eaten, it’s useless.

Second? Shelf life.
Our packs are designed to handle the extremes — from a sweltering 4wd parked in Darwin to a freezing shed in Tassie. Every item has to hold its taste, smell, and texture for years.

And finally? Nutrition.
It’s no good making a pack full of delicious but useless snacks. You need balanced energy, protein, carbs, and fats to keep you going — whether you’re stuck in traffic or trekking through the bush.

Go Pack (Vegetarian)

$49.95

Everything you need for a day on the go!

The Go Pack has breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, as well as hot drinks, hydration and cutlery. We've also thrown in 2x our Flameless Heater Bags, in case you don't have the chance to boil water.

Dinner: Choice of Spicy Mexican Bean or Chickpea Curry

On Track Meals is Australia's leading supplier of shelf stable nutrition. Our ready-to-eat meals are trusted by adventurers and emergency service providers all over Australia. In this Go Pack, you'll find a selection of our own products, as well as a range of our favourite snacks, to keep you fuelled for your next adventure.

Snacks vs Main Meals: The Great Debate

That Griffith University study? It showed that for a lot of people in the field, snacks win out over main meals. That’s exactly why our GO Packs have a mix of main meals and snacks including sweet and savoury to keep things interesting.

Keeping with our winning formula we have Winners Energy Bars that keep you fuelled while you’re on the move, to Arnott’s Shapes that instantly take you back to childhood, to Chief Beef Biltong — which I absolutely love and wish I’d had (or at least the biltong bars) when I deployed overseas. And of course, M&M’s must get a mention — these ones are in date and give you a great chocolate fix, and, unlike the ones most soldiers have seen in ration packs, they’re not crumbling.

And when you do want a hot meal? Our flameless heater bags mean you can enjoy one anywhere — no fire, no stove, no worries. This is one of the items I loved in the American MRE’s which is why we brought it over to ours, just add water, and wait 10mins and you have hot food in any situation including total fire ban days and rain (they even double as great handwarmers after use).

Final Word (and a Tip)

Ration packs have come a long way since the “eat it or starve” era. At On Track Meals, we reckon it’s possible to make something that ticks all the boxes — nutrition, taste, shelf life — without making you question your life choices.

So, whether you’re an adventurer, a prepper, a first responder, or just someone who likes being ready for anything, the GO Pack has you sorted. And remember:

Rule #1 of Military ration packs: Never look at the best before dates.

Rule #2: Refer to rule number 1.

FAQs

Q. What makes the GO Pack different from traditional ration packs?

A. Unlike traditional ration packs known for bland or unappetizing contents, the GO Pack is designed for real-world enjoyment. It focuses on taste, shelf life, and nutrition, offering a variety of meals and snacks people actually want to eat — including vegetarian and deluxe options.

Q. Who are GO Packs designed for?

A. GO Packs are made for a wide range of users — from military personnel, emergency responders, and humanitarian workers, to everyday adventurers, preppers, and campers. If you need reliable, ready-to-eat food with no cooking required, it’s built for you.

Q. How long do GO Packs last, and how are they stored?

A. Each GO Pack has a 2-year shelf life and is built to withstand extreme conditions — from hot cars in Darwin to freezing sheds in Tasmania. No refrigeration needed, and they remain stable in a variety of climates.

Q. Do GO Packs include snacks or just full meals?

A. They include both. GO Packs come with a mix of main meals and snacks (sweet and savory), like Winners Energy Bars, Arnott’s Shapes, M&M’s, and Chief Beef Biltong, catering to all eating styles including grazers and balanced eaters.

Q. Can I heat the meals without a stove or fire?

A. Yes! GO Packs feature flameless heater bags — just add water, and within 10 minutes you have a hot meal, even during fire bans or wet conditions. These heaters also double as handwarmers, making them perfect for rough conditions.