Key insights

• ⚓ The U.S. Navy ensures food supply for its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines through meticulous planning, vetting of suppliers, and coordination with the U.S. Army veterinary service.
• 🍽️ Menu planning and approval by registered dietitians is necessary to ensure nutritious and balanced meals for the crew members.
• 🚢 Aircraft carriers receive food supplies through underway replenishment, using connected or vertical methods, with up to one million pounds of food delivered every 7 to 10 days.
• 🔝 Submarines prefer vertical replenishment for supply, at a cost of about $260,000 for a six-month deployment on food supply.
• 🍲 Submarines carry 15,000 pounds of food, stored in every available space, and meals are prepared in a small galley with high-tech gadgets for the crew.
• ⚓ Sailors on submarines rely on shared meals for morale and socialization, facing challenges in limited space and resources.
• 🍴 Crew members of U.S. Navy vessels play essential roles in food delivery, inspection, and storage, with impressive meal quantities consumed daily.
• 🏠 Freshly made hot meals provide a sense of home and boost morale, serving as a crucial aspect of crew well-being during deployments.

Q&A

• How is food delivery and meal preparation managed on submarines?

  A submarine carries 15,000 pounds of food stored in every available space. Meals are prepared by culinary specialists in a small galley with high-tech gadgets. The crew eats at narrow tables in a tight mess deck, relying on shared meals for morale and socialization.

• How do aircraft carriers receive food supplies?

  Aircraft carriers receive food supplies through underway replenishment, using connected or vertical methods, with up to one million pounds of food delivered every 7 to 10 days. Submarines are preferentially supplied through vertical replenishment at a cost of about $260,000 for a six-month deployment.

• What is the role of crew members in supplying and preparing food for naval vessels?

  Crew members play essential roles in food delivery, inspection, storage, and the preparation of meals. Culinary specialists may need to prepare food for up to 5,500 crew members on some vessels.

• How does the U.S. Navy ensure food supply for its vessels during deployment?

  The U.S. Navy ensures food supply for its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines through meticulous planning, vetting of suppliers, and coordination with the U.S. Army veterinary service. The menu needs to be planned and approved by registered dietitians.

• 00:05 Navy sailors on deployment receive hot meals to keep them going, but have you ever wondered how they get their food in the middle of the ocean? This video explores the process of food delivery and preparation for the U.S. Navy vessels.
• 01:23 The U.S. Navy ensures food supply for its nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines through meticulous planning, vetting of suppliers, and coordination with the U.S. Army veterinary service. The menu needs to be planned and approved by registered dietitians.
• 02:52 The essential role of crew members in supplying and preparing food for large naval vessels, with impressive meal quantities and occasional downtime for crew enjoyment.
• 05:10 Aircraft carriers receive food supplies through underway replenishment, using connected or vertical methods, with up to one million pounds of food delivered every 7 to 10 days. Submarines are preferentially supplied through vertical replenishment at a cost of about $260,000 for a six-month deployment.
• 06:41 A submarine carries 15,000 pounds of food, stored in every available space. Meals are made by culinary specialists in a small galley with high-tech gadgets for the 130 crew working on board. The crew eats at narrow tables in a tight mess deck.
• 08:40 Sailors on submarines rely on shared meals for morale and socialization, facing challenges in limited space and resources, boosting spirits through food preparation and communal dining.