Discover our cabinet on Canadian Military Food Services, showcasing the evolution of military rations and food preparation. From early 20th-century skilled trades to modern meal solutions, explore how soldiers are provided with MREs for short-term needs, fresh rations in insulated containers for medium-term operations, and field kitchens for long-term deployments. Each item highlights the importance of nutrition and logistics in supporting military operations.
Cabinet

Artifacts
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Bottle, Water and Tins, Mess
The official manual refers to this artifact as a “Canteen Carrier” although the Canadian term “water bottle” is generally considered more appropriate. The water bottle nested into a metal canteen cup which could be used for boiling water to make hot tea, juice crystals, etc. and both were then placed in the carrier. The more …
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Carrier, Hot Ration, P37
The photo shows a P37 pattern canvas carrying bag with padding and insulation for serving hot meal food rations in the field. During combat situations, when hot rations could not be delivered to men in the field by truck, this pack was used to carry a single (or double) ration canister. The pack is constructed of canvas with fibre …
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Container, Storage, Insulated (Haybox)
A “haybox” is a cooker that utilizes the heat of the food being cooked to complete the cooking process. Generally, it takes three times the normal cooking time to cook food in a haybox. This highly insulated unit is made for military use to keep food or fluids hot or cold. It’s a very effective …
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Kitchen, Field
The Napoleonic adage “an army travels on its stomach” is one of the most basic military principles that causes militaries to succeed or fail in battles and wars. The importance of reasonable food and field fresh rations is paramount to successful military operations. A military “field kitchen” is a kitchen, usually on wheels, used primarily …
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Meals, Military, Kosher
Meals, Military, Kosher (MREs) – Religious Meals Kosher food is any food fit for consumption by Jewish people. The laws of kosher define which foods a person can and cannot eat. Kosher as a word refers to food prepared in accordance with Jewish rules and rituals so it can be eaten by religious Jews. Kosher food …
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Opener, Can, P-38
The penny pocket can opener was a well-known and useful piece of GI gear during the Second World War. Far down on the list of important inventions essential to victory in the Second World War is a modest gadget built of stamped metal called the GI Pocket Can Opener—commonly known as the P-38 can opener. …
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Pack, Individual Meal (IMP), Canadian Armed Forces
Purpose: The IMP’s purpose is to sustain the nourishment needs of military personnel for one meal a day. It is easy to heat, consumable without heating, resistant to damage during transportation, but not expected to be used for more than 30 consecutive days. Preparation and cooking: For IMPs from 2019 and beforehand, the main entrée and the …
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Pot, Cooking, Cast Iron
The manufacturers of this cast iron hollowware were E. Pugh & Co., Wednesbury. (Wednesbury is a market town in Sandwell in the county of West Midlands, England) Cast Iron Hollowware, a commercial alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon, the combination is heated to a molten liquid then emptied into a mold (shaped container). Hollowware vessels …
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Recipes, Food Services, Canadian Military
A critical component of morale and support in the Canadian military is Food Services. In the Army, on exercise, field kitchens can support several hundred soldiers with meals 2- 3 times daily. In garrison, military personnel may access food three times daily through various messes (eating facilities). In both cases, a recipe book is handy …
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Set, Mess, Field, Officers’
This is an example of a 2WW Officers’ field trunk mess set. The olive drab trunk was made by Wheary Incorporated, JQ.M. (Jeffersonville Quartermaster) Depot, 2 Mar 1942, as shown on the brass tag on the lid. The trunk measures 18” long by 13 ½ inches wide by 14 inches high. The trunk interior contains …
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Tray, Mess, Food (US Navy Ship)
Purpose: The basic reason for this tray is for serving food. The tray makes serving food and drinks easier, in particular, on a moving ship. Without a tray, it would require considerable physical effort or more than one trip to the food line to carry it. Construction: This tray is made of a high quality, durable, stainless …
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Utensils, Eating, KFS
This KFS set is typical of combination eating tool items. These pieces date from 1984. A pouch was added on the 1982 Pattern web gear Knife-Fork-Spoon carrier specifically for utensils of this size. Private purchase Swiss Army knives could also be carried in this pouch. Specifications: The KFS combination was built to Government specifications for use by the Canadian Department of Defence. …