Your food should be placed in a ditty bag. At each campsite, the bags get hauled up into a tree to protect their contents from bears and raccoons. At least every other person should have some sort of backpacking stove and fuel. Everyone should carry some sort of personal mess kit. I carry my stove inside a two-piece aluminum case which breaks down into two small pots.
Water Never drink untreated backcountry water.
At least every other person should carry some form of water purification. I carry a filter. Some hikers prefer purification tablets. Boiling works, but it takes a long time, it uses lots of fuel, and it requires you to wait until the water cools before drinking it. Shelter Trail hardened backpackers often camp under lightweight nylon tarps.