New Zealand-based peanut butter company, Fix & Fogg, has gone beyond “crossing the ditch” and aimed straight for the stars. The company was more than happy to satisfy a request for its nut butters from NASA astronauts for their six-month stay on the International Space Station.
Fix & Fogg founder, Roman Jewell, said it was a “truly exhilarating moment” for the brand.
One of NASA’s astronauts were introduced to Fix & Fogg peanut butter when a Kiwi friend sent them a jar to try. They loved it, started buying it from Whole Foods in the US, and sharing it with their fellow astronauts.
“NASA then reached out and requested we create a specially designed space-approved product that its astronauts can take with them on their SpaceX Crew-8 mission,” Jewell said.
The company worked with NASA nutritionists to create a Fix & Fogg space pouch that could be sent safely to space.
“Importantly, it needed to meet the complexities of consuming and storing food in zero-gravity. There was a lot of trial and error that went into making sure we delivered what NASA wanted.
“Glass jars are not permitted in space because they are heavy and can break, so we worked with a local packaging supplier and designed an easy-squeeze, 300-gram pouch. We made 50 of them and filled them with Smoke & Fire, Smooth and Crunchy Almond Butter, Cashew Butter, and Peanut Butter & Jelly flavours.
“This is the first time ever a New Zealand food product has gone to space, and we were happy to custom make packaging suitable for astronauts.
“The extra wide 18mm nozzle suits zero-gravity conditions yet still ensures Fix & Fogg extra crunchy pieces get to where they need to go: onto low-crumb space bread,” Jewell said.
When NASA’s SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket took off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, destined for the International Space Station, Fix & Fogg peanut butters were on-board, and the Fix & Fogg team were watching the launch at home in New Zealand.
“To be chosen as the first New Zealand food brand to journey into space is an honour beyond words. We love to help people go places, but it’s not every day you get invited to go to space. We’re thrilled that the NASA crew share our passion for exceptional peanut butter and almond butter,” Jewell said.
