Kronis Ltd in Bauska produces more than 200 different food products, mainly soups and sauces. For four years, the company has also been producing dry staples for soldiers, packed in sachets and intended for eating when it is not possible to have lunch in the canteen.
"This is an autoclave where the product is put inside, sterilized at a certain temperature, and has a long shelf life," says Lāsma Pinte, Production Manager, as she explains the daily routine of the soup and ready meals shop.
Kronis currently produces nine different ready-meal staples, such as beef goulash with buckwheat, potatoes with minced meat sauce, and vegetable stew with chicken. According to the company, the raw materials are from Latvia, both vegetables and cereals.
The food for the soldiers differs from everyday produce in that it is higher in calories. The main dish comes with a heating element produced in the United States. It comes in a separate packet, which, by inserting the packet and pouring in a little water, can produce food up to 80 degrees hot in 15 minutes.
The company has also received a grant from the Ministry of Defense for product development, and good cooperation has been established with the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology of the Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technology.
Ilze Krusta, a representative of the sales department of Kronis Ltd, said that the company employs 50 people and the production of food parcels for soldiers gives the company more stability.
"This order provides people with more work, it keeps the company busy, of course, it is very good for the company," she said.
As the food parcels produced by the company also reach the soldiers in Ukraine, Latvian Radio asked if there was any feedback from them.
"At the beginning, there was feedback about what they prefer to eat and what is not related to their eating culture. But the second opinion was that everything is very tasty anyway."
According to Sandra Muižniece-Brasava, Professor at the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technology, other Latvian food producers are also involved in the soldiers' meals and the range of dry staple foods will be expanded.
