5 replies to this topic

[Fat Guy]

Hi Vickie. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this Q&A.

What items, if any, can I pick up at a normal grocery store that would be considered space-worthy?

[Vickie Kloeris]

Below is a list of some of the commercial items we use. Almost all of these items are repackaged before going to orbit. The exception would be the canned items, like the Del Monte single serving fruits.

Commercially Available Space Food Items


ITEM BRAND/MANUFACTURER

Brownie Little Debbie from McKee Baking Company
Plain M&M’s M&M Mars Inc
Peanut M&M’s M&M Mars, Inc
Oatmeal with Brown Sugar Instant from Quaker Oats We add non fat dry milk
Oatmeal w/Raisins Instant from Quaker Oats We add non fat dry milk
Bran Chex Ralston Purina; Multi-Bran Chex We add non fat dry milk
Cornflakes Frosted Flakes; Kellogg’s We add non fat dry milk
Granola Heartland-Pet, Inc We add non fat dry milk
Granola w/Raisins Heartland-Pet, Inc We add non fat dry milk
Grits with Butter Instant Grits from Quaker We add Butter Buds
Rice Krispies Kellogg’s We add non fat dry milk
Butter Cookies Chessman from Pepperidge Farms
Shortbread Cookies Lorna Doone from Nabisco
Butter Crackers Butter crackers from Keebler
Dried Apricots Del Monte
Diced Peaches Del Monte Single serving can with flip top lid
Dried Peaches Del Monte
Diced Pears Del Monte Single serving can with flip top lid
Pineapple Del Monte Single serving can with flip top lid
Granola Bar Sunbelt from McKee Baking Company
Almonds Hickory Smoked from Blue Diamond
Cashews Whole cashews from Planters
Peanuts Dry roasted from Planters
Banana Pudding Handi-Snacks from Kraft Plastic tub with foil peelable lid
Butterscotch Pudding Handi-Snacks from Kraft Plastic tub with foil peelable lid
Chocolate Pudding Handi-Snacks from Kraft Plastic tub with foil peelable lid
Tapioca Pudding Handi-Snacks from Kraft Plastic tub with foil peelable lid
Vanilla Pudding Handi-Snacks from Kraft Plastic tub with foil peelable lid
Salmon Pink Salmon from Chicken of the Sea Single serve can with flip top lid
Tuna Albacore, solid white in spring water from Starkist Single serve can with flip top lid
Apple Cider Alpine Cider Mix from Continental Mills
Coffee Instant; Tasters Choice from Nestle
Coffee, Decaff Instant, Tasters Choice from Nestle
Lemonade Country Time
Lemonade with Artifical
Sweetener Country Time
Orange Drink Tang from Kraft/General Foods
Tea Instant from Nestea
Tropical Punch Kool-Aid from Kraft/General Foods

[SethG]

Sounds like Sandra Lee would be right at home on the space shuttle! NASA might want to consider taking a look at her "semi-homemade" cuisine.

Edited to add: this comment is intended to criticize Sandra Lee, not NASA. Astrounauts obviously have severe restrictions on what they can take into space. I just thought these limitations might make space the one appropriate place for her preservative-laden creations!

Edited by SethG, 13 January 2004 - 08:29 PM.

[Vickie Kloeris]

Yes, we do have a lot of preservatives in our food system, but as you state...circumstances necessitate it.

[hillvalley]

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us.

Has the trend in individualized packaging made life any easier for those who plan/prepare the meals?

[Vickie Kloeris]

Not really. Any materials that are used in significant quantities on board a spacecraft have to be tested and approved. Therefore, it is easier for us to repackage products like nuts, cookies, crackers, etc into a standard package rather than going to the expense of testing all the different manufacturer's packaging materials...and then having to retest them when the manufacturer changes them.