Ships never flew far when I was a kid, a couple hundred lightyears, a few months, at most before stopping for fresh food and fuel.  One thing I didn’t realize as a kid was that the Peloran never stopped anywhere to stock up on food.  I found out why when I flew with them.  They grow it all on ship, fish in the water bunkers, small birds for eggs and meat, vegetables and fruit in hydroponic gardens.  They grow everything they need, and it tastes real good.