Meal was short of alcohol, according to Spooner (6,5)

I believe the answer is:

packed lunch

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'meal' is the definition.
(type of meal)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for packed lunch that I've seen before include "Ready-prepared midday meal in container" , "Meal to be carried" , "Cold meal (eg, taken to school)" , "Food carried on a day trip" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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