Most buildings in the Colony are not passive - that is, they specifically produce an output or outcome when operated.
To operate, all buildings require an input of Resources. This could be Manpower, or Materials, or a mixture of several types of Resource.
Buildings on the Colony Map are annotated with what Resources they require to operate, as well as an indication of what their output will be.
To operate the Kitchens building, the following need to be allocated to it:
In addition, the Kitchens must be injected with Food (up to 40 Food at a time).
When sufficiently operated for an entire Term (10 days, or 25 minutes), the Kitchen will output 2 Rations for every 1 Food invested in it.