I guess its just me but I'm not sure why this is getting so blown up. Space on the station is at a premium so they can't store a lot of extra food (a 45-day reserve is apparently the norm). The supply convoy is on the way and if its reasonably on schedule then the food supply will be amply replenished. This just doesn't seem to be different than any other 'outpost' scenario.
And it came as a mild surprise that they are consuming food at the rate of 3,000 calories a day. Considering they don't need to expend any energy to resist gravity that seems like a lot.
The idea of Els picking up a service contract for the station is intriquing but I think he'd end up working for tips since there's no way in hell he'd make it in 30 minutes or less
