Food in the 42nd Millenium

[Cykeisme]

Our combat rations had salmon steak as a meal. They were actually better then the Mess Hall food.

At the risk of derailing the thread, can you describe the salmon in more detail? Was it a packaged MRE, or something caught locally?
Find it randomly interesting, even if that's possibly because I'm hungry at this very moment..

[Aaron]

At the risk of derailing the thread, can you describe the salmon in more detail? Was it a packaged MRE, or something caught locally?
Find it randomly interesting, even if that's possibly because I'm hungry at this very moment..

It was an MRE (the CF calls them IMP's), Salmon in some sort of sauce.

If your interested, here is a listing of the current and past IMPs.

Looks like they've changed the menu substantially since I got out (2003), shoot me a PM if you want so we don't derail the thread too much.

[Anisarian]

From the Imperial Munitorum Manual on page 46 we get the following quote;

When on active duty, all Guardsmen are issued with five Combat Ration Packs (CRP), designed to sustain a soldier engaged in heavy activity such as military training or during combat operations when normal food service facilities are not available. The CRP is a totally self contained ration consisting of of a full meal packed in a flexible meal bag. The full bag is light-weight and fits easily into the pockets of a Guardsman's uniform of combat webbing. Each meal bag contains a nutrient-rich compound as well as foods designed to enhance the energy levels and stamina of a Guardsman.

Each CRP meal bag provides enough chemically enchanced stimulants to sustain a Guardsman through most combat operations and can be eaten directly from the pack, though some types include a flameless heater to cook with when on manoeuvres in enemy territory or in situations where exposing the Squad's position is inadvisabe. Where such things not a concern any pack could be broken open and its individual elements heated in hot water.

From this we see there is definitely some thought gone into proper rationing. The CRP is designed to be used when they cannot receive rations from 'normal food service facilities' and the exact quality will vary based on what world the Regiment is from but we're given this basic standard to go by. There is also the rations which Peptuck mentioned which I imagine would be given out when one is capable of visiting the supply tent to get themselves some proper food.

As to why its bland, as a footnote to the above quote the Minotorum suggests getting food that is as close to your homeworld's as possible as there may be some allergens present, as happened to the 473rd Grudrunite Rifles who lost 500 men to mass allergic reaction from a Death World Ration pack. The general rue would be food is more bland to allow a greater number of Regiments to eat from the same supply train.