In major disasters and emergencies, food service operations are authorized to purchase and store which of the following?

Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) are specifically designed for situations where food needs to be easily transportable, have a long shelf life, and require minimal preparation. In the context of major disasters and emergencies, MREs offer an effective and efficient solution for feeding individuals and emergency responders due to their ready-to-eat nature, which eliminates the need for cooking or preparation.

These meals are packed with nutrients and are intended to sustain individuals in situations where other food resources may not be accessible. Additionally, MREs can withstand various environmental conditions, making them ideal for use in emergencies where normal food supply chains may be disrupted.

While other food options like freeze-dried meals and frozen TV dinner meals may be viable in some contexts, they often require cooking or specific storage conditions. Unitized Group Rations (UGRs) are also a solid option but are typically used for larger groups and in a slightly different context, such as military operations or group settings rather than individual emergency relief scenarios. MREs, therefore, stand out as the most appropriate choice for immediate deployment and consumption in emergency situations.