Currently a deployed outpost mounts a reactor and an outpost system. Materials cost is slightly less then a colony ship. Perhaps add a hydroponics bay as a possible outpost system choice. + 1 food at start, +1 additional for Artificial Organisms (total +2), +1 additional for weather control (total +3). This would allow the use to a limited extent of gas giants and null systems, buffer food supplies in mid game, and make a guns or butter choice (competing with ships for metal mid game).
Other orbitals such as stations might also be able to use one in their station slot.
Food produced would go into food pool, so freighters would be needed to move it. Overall food produced would be low, expensive compared to farms, and easily disrupted or destroyed, but for rear line areas could be an interesting production dynamic.