Replicator

The replicator is a piece of Star Trek technology adopted by the PPC. A replicator can create most objects, if it has been programmed with the object's pattern. It works much like a transporter, except that instead of rematerializing in another location, the matter rematerializes as another object.

Many agents use replicators to provide food; and many replicators are dedicated specifically to food production. Generally considered to be not quite as good as food that started out as actual food, replicated meals are still much better than what can be found at the Cafeteria.

Limitations on replicators include computer memory for patterns, power to operate the replicator, and the complexity of the object to be replicated. In the Star Trek canon, replicators cannot, for example, produce dilithium crystals or replicate living creatures.

More information can be found here.