The food storage bay is the only area of a vessel or station where perishable items, such as food, can be stored safely. The bay is made out of stainless, rust-proof materials so that food and other items don't get contaminated. The bay remains at a constant low temperature, to keep stored items cold so that they last longer and don't rot.

Parts of the bay area are sectioned off, with one area designed to hold meat, another fruit, and others can hold drinks. The storage bay has racks and shelves to store these items on. In possible, the food storage bays are always right next to the kitchen, or located nearby. Depending on the size of ship or station, the bay might have a dedicated elevator for bringing food up from a shuttle or cargo-bay.

Some storage bays might even have their own docking tube, so that food can be transferred directly into the bay either from a supply ship or while the ship is docked at a station. Ships that lack this feature, must transport their food via the most direct route possible, such as a ships main corridors.