We’re here to help with any questions you have about My Own Meal® kosher prepared meals. Below are the answers to commonly asked questions about our meals, including information about ingredients, purchase, storage, shelf life, and religious preparation.

If you don’t find the answer to your question, please contact us and we will get to you back as soon as possible.

I have questions about the meals, who can I contact?

Email is the best way: sales@myownmeals.com

How did you select your rabbinical supervising agency?

This was a process that was both business and personal. When we first entered the kosher market, we needed not only a reputable kashruth agency, but also individual(s) willing to provide guidance and education so that we could do it right.

In the early 1990s, Mary Anne Jackson met with Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik, ztl, to interview with him and to explain her vision for the business. As a credible religious leader and scholar, he did not lend his family’s name to products other than to Streit’s at the time. Jackson sought to add her My Own Meal® brand to the list.

At that meeting, Rabbi Aaron Soloveichik, ztl, decided that our proposed product line was important to the Jewish community and wanted to see it succeed for that reason alone. His son, Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, would administer and supervise the day-to-day operations of the Organization of Orthodox Kashruth Supervision under the Soloveichik name. He was to follow his father’s chalachic standards, and include other respected rabbis in the agency.

We were to work with the other major kashruth agencies and include ingredients certified by them and approved by him in our My Own Meal® recipes, as well as products certified by them in our MREs. Jews in the military, institutions, at camp and traveling were to have an option never before available.

Jackson worked with the Jewish community and appreciates many individuals who helped her gain a proper education, including Kedem managers and their wives, chaplains and rabbis throughout the country, and several US Military Chaplains, Jewish and non-Jewish.

Chaplain (Col) Jacob Goldstein

Chaplain (Col) Jacob Goldstein

Our meals and the Company became a part of the community. All Jackson was asked in return for her education was to learn, do it right, and not quit. And that she did and continues to do it today.

Are My Own Meal® kosher meals produced under the on-site supervision of a mashgiach timidi?

Yes.

Are the meats used in My Own Meal® tray and pouch meals glatt kosher?

Yes. We use only glatt certified beef from reputable suppliers and certifiers. While our chicken is OU certified glatt, our certifying agency follows the traditional use of glatt being limited to beef and lamb, so we do not put the word glatt on the packaging for chicken meals.

Do the grains used in My Own Meal® products follow the laws of chodosh?

Yes. See the Guide to Chodosh by Yosef Herman, ztl, published annually which lists yoshon products for that year, including our My Own Meal® brand. To order the guide and learn more, email chodoshsubscribe@jif.org.il.

Are My Own Meal® dairy meals cholov yisrael?

No.

Are any My Own Meal® varieties Kosher for Passover?

No.

How can we double wrap meat meals to warm them in a non-rabbi-supervised microwave?

The purpose of double wrapping is to prevent non-kosher food from entering the meal and “contaminating” it with non-kosher food. Two layers are used “in case” something gets through the first layer.

Wipe out any noticeable spills in the microwave. Open the box and vent the corner by pulling the lid back slightly. Then return the tray to its box and place the box in the microwave oven. Heat for one to two (1 to 2) minutes. (NOTE: The time required depends upon the power of the microwave. Usually one (1) minute is long enough if it is a commercial microwave.)

The outer box is the second of the two layers of wrap, and the slightly vented top and plastic tray is the primary layer. Since steam is going out of the vented lid as the meal heats, the rabbis have determined that the opening for venting does not negate the double wrapping requirement. The preparer could always put a paper plate, paper towel or napkin under and above the box for further protection if they feel more comfortable for any reason, but it is not required.

How do I read a lot code on the Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), Rations and Meal Kits – Best By Date?

Every case of My Own Meal® kosher certified rations and meal kits has two codes printed on the side of the Master Case.

  1. The first code is the date assembled and reads as: “PACK DATE: DAY MONTH YEAR”.
  2. The second code is the Best By date. It is coded as “BEST BY MONTH YEAR”. This month and year is the date by which we recommend consuming the ration. While some of the components inside the master case may have a later Best By date printed on its packaging, including the My Own Meal® main course meals, we use the earliest Best By date for any one of the components inside that case to establish the “Best By” date for the entire assembled ration.

We maintain our inventory to assure our state of readiness to meet surges in unexpected demand and/or emergencies. We recommend that you inquire as to the current “Best By” date of the inventory at the time of your order if remaining shelf life is important to your purchase decision. We ship on a FIFO basis.

How do I read a lot code on the POUCH or TRAY meals – Best By Date?

Every case of My Own Meal® kosher certified meals has two codes printed on the side of the colorful folding carton.

  1. The first code is the production code in 8 character format:
    1 2 S L 5 6 7 8.

    • 1 = MONTH: where A = January, L = December
    • 2 = YEAR: where 9 = 2019, 0 = 2020, 5 = 2025
    • S L 5 6 7 8 are internal codes
  2. The second code is the Best By date. It is coded as “BEST BY MONTH YEAR”. This month and year represent the date by which we recommend consuming the meal.

An inventory is maintained and produced periodically as demand dictates, so be sure to inquire as to the current “Best By” date of the inventory at the time of your order if shelf life is important to your purchase decision. We ship on a FIFO basis.

Do your meals show BEST BY dates?

Yes. The Best By date is printed on the carton. This is the recommended date to serve the meal for maximum texture, flavor and freshness.

Can I Pack My Own Meal® tray or pouch meals in my carry-on luggage?

No. TSA requirements today limit the amount of liquid you can carry on-board. TSA uses the total weight of the package as the determining weight, no matter how much liquid is in the container. Pack them carefully in your checked bags to avoid puncturing the lid or pouch.

I want fewer than twelve (12) of the same meal variety. How can I order them?

We sell our meals in cases of twelve (12) meals of the same variety and do not offer or sell individual varieties. They are available via our web distributors and in some grocery stores. Contact us for help finding a convenient way to buy them individually.

Should I order meals in 10oz microwaveable plastic trays or 8oz boil-in-bag foil pouches?

It depends upon how you plan to use them.

Many of our customers prefer trays because of their convenience. You can store them and then enjoy a hot meal right from its own dish. Such customers include institutions, consumers, college students, and office workers, among others.

Some customers prefer pouches because they are easy to lay flat in a suitcase, or in a backpack or just to keep in storage for emergencies.

Either way, the same great My Own Meal® is yours to enjoy.

What is the shelf-life of My Own Meal® pouches and trays?

My Own Meal® pouches carry a six (6) year shelf life from the date of manufacture if they are consistently stored between 50°F (10°C) and 80°F (26°C).

Our trays have a three (3) year shelf life from the date of manufacture, depending upon variety provided they are consistently stored between 50°F (10°C) and 80°F (26°C).

How should the meals be stored?

Our meals are designed for ambient storage conditions, not too hot and not too cold! Either freezing or storage at high temperatures could damage the quality of the meals. To assure shelf life integrity, store unopened pouch or tray My Own Meal® meals in the pantry, in your office, or in dry storage.

Once the meal is heated, it should be consumed and not be returned to the shelf for storage. If the meal is opened, it should be put into a storage container and promptly refrigerated as all prepared food items are handled.

Meals are not shelf stable once opened.

Should I freeze the meals?

No. Our meals should be protected from freezing because they are designed for ambient storage conditions. Refrigeration is NOT required and they should never be stored in the freezer. Freezing may damage the quality of the meals. Long-term storage consistently between 50°F (10°C) and 80°F (26°C) assures optimal shelf life integrity.

Can My Own Meal® kosher meals be eaten unheated?

Yes. They are perfectly safe and delicious to eat as is, especially in emergency situations where heating is not an option.
The meals are delicious as is, but for more flavor, warm them when possible.

How long does it take to get the meals after I order?

We ship Monday through Thursday. My Own Meal® brand kosher meals usually ship on the next shipping day via UPS. Depending upon where we are shipping, UPS takes between 2 to 6 business days after we ship your order. Full pallet orders are shipped LTL and delivery is usually between 2 to 14 business days.

Why is there a handling charge on smaller orders, but not on orders over eleven (11) cases?

We have kept pricing stable for years. To continue to do this, we added a handling charge to cover the cost of processing smaller orders.

What is the credit card processing fee charge?

We have kept pricing stable for years. To continue to do this, we added a charge to cover some of the cost of processing credit cards.

What credit cards do you accept?

We accept US-based Visa and Master Card.

How do I purchase My Own Meal® kosher Meals?

We do not process credit cards on this site. However, you can download the order form fill it out, and then fax the form to us at 847-948-0468, or email it to sales@myownmeals.com. Please remember to include a contact telephone number so that we can obtain your credit card information to process the order. Or call the information in to our office at (847) 948-1118.

Where can I find nutritional labeling information?

Send us an inquiry via email to sales@myownmeals.com

What if I have food allergies or food sensitivities?

We work with many who are concerned about specific food allergies and diets. See Special Diets.

Do your meals have artificial flavors, colors, or MSG?

We do not use artificial flavors, colors or MSG. We use only healthful ingredients.

Do you use preservatives in your meals?

No. The processing and the packaging preserve the meals.

Are any of your meals Vegan?

No.

Are any of your meals vegetarian?

Four of our meals are vegetarian.

  • Cheese Tortellini (lacto) kosher dairy
  • Florentine Lasagna (lacto) kosher dairy
  • Vegetarian Stew (uovo) kosher pareve
  • Pasta with Garden Vegetables (uovo) kosher pareve

Are any of your meals gluten-free?

Five of our meals are perfect for people avoiding gluten.

  • Beef Stew
  • Old World Stew
  • Chicken & Black Beans
  • Chicken Mediterranean
  • My Kind of Chicken®

Who orders My Own Meal® kosher meals?

  • Institutions
  • Hospitals
  • Law enforcement and fire departments
  • US Government and State Agencies
  • International Governments and Militaries
  • Non Governmental Agengies
  • FEMA, Red Cross, State Department, and other government agencies
  • Individuals on the go
  • Families with school-age children for lunch and dinners
  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Individuals with special dietary and food allergy concerns

I am not Jewish so why should I buy My Own Meal® kosher Meals?

You do not have to be Jewish to enjoy delicious My Own Meal® kosher meals! Each meal is:

  • Made with only high quality ingredients without fillers
  • Fully cooked
  • Ready to eat as is or warm for more flavor
  • A healthy option to home-cooking
  • Nutritionally balanced
  • Shelf stable – No refrigeration required before opened and can be stored unopened on the shelf.