Comment by alganet

I'm pretty sure Neelix is not familiar with replicators. It seems no one in the delta quadrant is.

This is evidenced by both Neelix's and the Kazon surprise when the Voyager crew is able to replicate water.

There is a catch in the first episode, which clearly shows replicator technology being employed by the sporocistians (it's how they beam down food to the Ocampa).