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 learn that Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk had chosen her brand’s bison jerky for the upcoming NASA-SpaceX mission to the International Space Station, scheduled for October 1 pending final approval.
In a recent interview with Radio Canada, Smart expressed her excitement, mentioning that Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield had previously enjoyed the Saskatchewan bison jerky sticks in space. Reflecting on the opportunity, Smart stated, “I knew it had been to space before, but I never expected a repeat request, so this is incredibly exciting.”
Smart hopes that the bison jerky’s journey to space will highlight its versatility for various purposes, such as packing it for children’s lunches, sports, or travel. The jerky underwent a rigorous selection process by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA before receiving approval for space travel.
According to Natalie Hirsch from the Canadian Space Agency, astronauts can customize a portion of their food supplies, and CSA offers Canadian food options to complement the meals provided by NASA. Specific criteria for space-bound food include an 18-month shelf life, space-friendly packaging, and a crumb-free composition.
Local support plays a vital role in the success of businesses like Trails End Buffalo Stix, emphasized Nolan Langer, assistant plant manager at the Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre. Langer noted that the facility has been producing jerky for nearly two decades and highlighted the importance of local processing capabilities for small businesses in western Canada.
Canadian products destined for space include a variety of items such as maple syrup from Ontario and Quebec and salmon from the west coast. This diversity showcases the range of Canadian offerings making their way beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
