Shianna Smart, co-owner of Trails End Buffalo Stix in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, initially doubted the legitimacy of an email from NASA. However, after engaging with them, she was thrilled to discover that Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk had chosen their bison jerky for the NASA-SpaceX mission to the International Space Station on Oct. 1, pending final approval.
This isn’t the first time their jerky has made its way to space, as Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield had previously enjoyed the product while it was under different ownership. Smart expressed her excitement at being selected again for this prestigious mission.
The jerky underwent a rigorous selection process by both the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA before being approved for space travel. Natalie Hirsch from the CSA mentioned that astronauts have the freedom to customize some of their food, with Canadian options being provided by the CSA.
Certain criteria, such as an 18-month shelf life, space-friendly packaging, and a non-crumbly nature, are essential for food destined for space consumption. Local support plays a vital role in the success of small businesses like Trails End Buffalo Stix, according to Nolan Langer from the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre.
Canadian products selected for space missions span a variety of items, including maple syrup from Ontario and Quebec, and salmon from the west coast. The exposure gained from having their jerky in space is expected to be beneficial for showcasing its versatility for everyday use.
