Apollo 13, launched 13:13 CST on April 11, 1970, was planned as the third manned lunar landing mission. However, an explosion on board forced James A. Lovell, Jr., John L. Swigert, Jr., and Fred W. Haise, Jr. to abort the mission, circle the moon and return to Earth. Apollo 13 was classified a "successful failure."

More than 70 items comprised the crew's food selection list of freeze-dried-rehydratable, wet-pack and spoon-bowl foods. Balanced meals were packed in man/day overlaps.

This package, which contains the complete meal "C" for a member of the crew (indicated by the red Velcro tag on each portion) was originally intended for the eighth day of the flight. As the mission was curtailed early, this meal was returned to Earth uneaten.