Soldiers food does not look appetising. It lacks flavour and tastes too processed. Because of many restrictions I could not change the food, but I decided to the work on these problems using different methods to shape the food. I focused on packaging. I created a food experience that is much more appealing and gives a feeling of a normal life via eating.

In my system where every soldiers gets, along with ration packed meals, a bag with silicone cup and bowl, aluminium fork, knife, spoon.
When you open a package with food (or drinks like coffee, tea etc.) you pour a water to the sides of packaging and put it into the silicone bowl and add water to the instant food. The powder in the sides of the packaging reacts with water and heats the meal. Silicone cup and bowl are rather a form to place hot and soft packages. Because the food do not touch it the problem of cleaning is eliminated.

On the left side of the bag soldiers has a place to keep cutlery. In the smaller pockets the spices, chewing gum, packages with coffee or tea may be stored.There is also a zipped pocked for a bowl and a cup. You can fold the dishes because they are made of silicone. There is also separate place for already used packages to make easier to transport them.

When I was talking with soldiers I found out that those small, colourful elements like spices or cookies reminded soldiers of normal, everyday products familiar to home and relax a bit.

The insides of packages are full of different colours, although the outside is simple and military. I chose colours to cover the inside of packaging, which suit certain types of food. Because of these two elements (shape and colour) the meals look more appealing, spicier or healthier. This leads to a better perception of the food during eating.