1999 Vegetarian MRE Case

[SirG2020]

Hello everyone. I just saw this on eBay. Looks legit but I’ve never even heard of an actual full case of vegetarian MREs! Anyone have any information about this unicorn?
Thank you

[Amelieee1]

Interestingly, I've never seen one of these before and I don't recall hearing about them either. I did some digging but, not much luck sadly.

Searching the NSN at the top of the side of the case usually provides some insight, but maybe I'm just not looking on the right databases, but I can't find any record at all of the NSN for the "MRE, Vegetarian" with NSN 8970-01-424-2805. The contract date is 1998, so I was hoping that there would be some record of it in the 2002 edition of the Natick 30-25 report on operational rations, but unfortunately, nada, which is odd considering the report has information on a lot of obscure, rare rations as well as prototypes. Though the 2002 edition of the report is the 5th edition, with a new edition coming about every 2-3 years up until around 2016, so it is possible it would be in the 4th edition, but I don't have a copy unfortunately.

My educated best guess for this case, is that it is something a little like the current day MRE, Pork Free - which is just a standard case A of MREs without pork in it. In 1999, when the case was packed, the standard MRE lineup had 4 veggie menus, 11-14. This case says menu 1-4, so four veggie menus. My money would be on this case just being one with three of each of the veggie menus from that period, perhaps in their standard bags, perhaps in relabeled ones with the new 1-4 menu numbers, I couldn't say.

For future reference once this case sells, since it'll be hard to find the listing in future, its up right now for $99.99. Interestingly the shipping label on it is addressed from a VA medical center in Perry Point, MD to a Medical Center in CA. With another label on it having a "date recieved" of December 12th, 2000. Seems the more official designation is "MEALS, READY TO EAT, VEGETARIAN". What it was doing being passed between medical centers, I couldn't say, but it's interesting nonetheless.

Interesting item for sure, no idea if we'll see more again but I hope whoever gets this cracks it open so we can see what all is in there. TTI on it is real bad though haha. Same seller has a sealed case of 94s and a few loose tan bags.

[norge]

Genuin issue.

cheers ken

[norge]

old school vegetarian mres was only 2 menues in case btw.

note the TTi sticker is realy black...

[SirG2020]

Thank you!

[The_MRE_Tester]

When searching for the NSN i found an entry for a different version of a vegetarian case, stating 6* Menu 11 and 6* Menu 12
https://www.nsnlookup.com/search/nation ... 1-424-2085

MENU NUMBER
11 AND 12
QUANTITY OF PERSONS FOR WHICH DESIGNED
1
SPECIAL FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, READY-TO-EAT, 6 EACH OF MENUS 11 AND 12
SUPPLY PACKAGE TYPE
BOX, FIBERBOARD

[Amelieee1]

When searching for the NSN i found an entry for a different version of a vegetarian case, stating 6* Menu 11 and 6* Menu 12
https://www.nsnlookup.com/search/nation ... 1-424-2085

MENU NUMBER
11 AND 12
QUANTITY OF PERSONS FOR WHICH DESIGNED
1
SPECIAL FEATURES
VEGETARIAN, READY-TO-EAT, 6 EACH OF MENUS 11 AND 12
SUPPLY PACKAGE TYPE
BOX, FIBERBOARD

No wonder I couldnt find it, I had a typo in the NSN lol