Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDR) - 10 Day Food Supply
After a long wait, these highly sought-after Humanitarian Daily Ration (HDR) cases are finally back in stock! HDR meals are a reliable and easy-to-store food option for outdoor adventures or emergency situations. Each shelf-stable meal is specifically designed for use in humanitarian crises, such as natural disasters or conflict situations. Perfect for your next hunting trip, camping adventure, or emergency preparedness kit, each individual HDR provides approximately 2,000 calories per meal, meeting the daily nutritional needs of individuals in emergency settings—essentially a complete day's sustenance in convenient, MRE-style packaging.
Individual HDR meal kits (10 per case) offer a full day's supply of food that can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. They are designed for easy storage and transport, making them a great addition to your emergency preparedness kit or camping supplies. These surplus cases are FEMA Humanitarian and Relief Meals Ready To Eat Food Packages, made in the USA by Sopakco.
HDR Case Contents
Maximize your rations! Each case contains 10 complete meals with a total of 20 delicious vegetarian entrees (2 entrees per meal), along with 20 irresistable cookies, 10 crunchy vegetable crackers, 10 delightful toaster pastries, 10 packets of creamy peanut butter, 10 packets of sweet strawberry jam, and 10 essential accessory packs—ensuring you're well-equipped for any situation.
Explore the five diverse menus and components you will find in each case. Each meal includes a convenient Accessory Pack (spoon, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, moist towelette, 2 sugar packets, and napkin).
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MENU 1
- Vegetable Barley Stew Entree
- Lentil Stew Entree
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Shortbread Cookies
- Vegetable Crackers
- Toaster Pastry
- Peanut Butter
- Strawberry Jam
- Total Calories: 2,010 -
MENU 2
- Peas in Tomato Sauce Entree
- Vegetable Barley Stew Entree
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Shortbread Cookie
- Vegetable Crackers
- Toaster Pastry
- Peanut Butter
- Strawberry Jam
- Total Calories: 1,960 -
MENU 3
- Rice with Vegetables Entree
- Vegetable Barley Stew Entree
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Shortbread Cookie
- Vegetable Crackers
- Toaster Pastry
- Peanut Butter
- Strawberry Jam
- Total Calories: 2,030 -
MENU 4
- Peas in Tomato Sauce Entree
- Rice with Vegetables Entree
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Shortbread Cookie
- Vegetable Crackers
- Toaster Pastry
- Peanut Butter
- Strawberry Jam
- Total Calories: 2,010
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MENU 5
- Lentil Stew Entree
- Peas in Tomato Sauce Entree
- Oatmeal Cookie
- Shortbread Cookie
- Vegetable Crackers
- Toaster Pastry
- Peanut Butter
- Strawberry Jam
- Total Calories: 1,990
Shelf Life: HDR Meals Ready to Eat Case Inspection Date
- PRODUCTION DATE: This batch of HDRs was packed in May 2022 (LOT #2147). Each full case features a crucial Time Temperature Indicator (TTI).
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INSPECTION DATE: The date on these HDR cases is labeled with the “Inspection Date” of May 2025. Note: The Inspection Date serves as a guideline for quality rather than a strict expiration. Meals ready to eat can last many years beyond this date if stored properly. The inspection date simply reminds users to check for any packaging damage that could indicate spoilage. While HDRs may lose some nutritional value over time, the main protein content usually stays intact. TheEpicenter.com staff has consumed them well past their inspection dates without issues.
Our HDR cases have a Time Temperature Indicator (TTI) in addition to the inspection date. The TTI is a circular indicator, with a light-colored inner circle and a darker outer ring. When the inner circle is lighter than the outer circle, it signifies that the HDRs have not been exposed to excessive heat for an extended period and are still considered fresh for consumption. Properly stored, these rations can provide sustenance for years to come.
Key Features of HDR Meals Ready to Eat Cases
- Nutritional Balance: Each ration is formulated to provide a balanced diet, typically containing essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to support health during emergencies.
- Shelf Stability: HDRs are designed to have a long shelf life, often lasting several years, making them suitable for storage and distribution in crisis situations.
- Ease of Preparation: The HDR meal rations are ready-to-eat, allowing for quick consumption without the need for cooking facilities.
- Portability: HDR cases are lightweight and easy to transport, making them ideal for distribution in challenging environments.
What's the Difference between HDRs and MREs?
- HDRs: Each meal is designed to provide a full day's worth of nutrition (around 2,000 calories) for a moderately malnourished individual, especially during humanitarian crises. They are formulated for the widest possible acceptance by diverse populations, meaning they contain no animal products (except a small amount of dairy) or alcohol-based ingredients.
- MREs: Each full meal is intended to provide a single meal's worth of food (1,100-1,300 calories) for military personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, or during emergencies.
Comparing HDRs to MREs
| Feature | HDR Case | MRE Star MRE Case |
| Meals per case | 10 meals | 12 meals |
| Entrees (per meal) | 2 vegetarian entrees (9 oz) | 1 entree (meat or vegetarian, 8 oz) |
| Snacks/Desserts | Oatmeal cookies, shortbread cookies, toaster pastry, vegetable crackers, peanut butter, jam | Starch (crackers or tortillas), Spread (peanut butter, jelly, or cheese), Snack (nut raising mix, fruit mix, corn nuts), dessert (cookies) |
| Beverage | Not included | Fruit-flavoried powdered drink mix included |
| Accessories | Spoon, moist towelette, napkin, salt, pepper, sugar, crushed red pepper flakes | Spoon, napkin, wet nap, candy, instant coffee, creamer, sugar, hot pepper flakes, salt, pepper |
| Heater | Not Included | Flameless Ration Heater included |
| Meal Heating | Can be eaten cold or heated in hot water or pot | Can be eaten cold or heated using the flameless ration heater |
| Cost | $3.50–$5.50 per meal | $9.00–$12.00 per meal |
Notable Differences
- Heaters and Drink Mixes: HDRs lack heaters and drink mixes, which are standard in MRE Star MRE meal cases.
- Entree Size and Variety: HDR entrees are larger (9 oz) and typically vegetarian, emphasizing beans and rice, with 2 entrees in each HDR meal. MRE Star entrees are 8 oz and offer a wider variety, including meat options, with only 1 entree in each MRE meal.
- Menu Options: HDRs have fewer menu options and less variety compared to MRE Star MRE cases.
- Nutritional Focus: HDRs are designed for a 24-hour food supply, while MREs provide a single meal.
In essence, HDRs prioritize providing basic, culturally neutral nutrition for large-scale aid, while MRE Star MREs offer more diverse, convenient, and self-heating meal options for smaller-scale use or personal preparedness.
Summary
HDRs are significantly cheaper per meal and provide a full day's sustenance, potentially making them more cost-effective if consumed over a longer period. MRE Star MREs offer more variety in entrees and include a flameless ration heater, but come at a higher individual meal cost. HDRs are an excellent choice for overall cost-effective emergency preparedness.