Dried fruit and veg brand designed for astronauts is looking to expand into retail and capitalise on appeal to sports people and space enthusiasts
A brand of dried fruit and veg that is undergoing space flight simulation testing as a nutritious food for astronauts is seeking a UK retail listing to help grow its funding.
Georgia-based Caucasus Organic Fruits sources and dries a range of fruit from around the country, including persimmon, kiwi and mandarin, as well as vegetables including beetroot, with over 100 specific requirements for space conditions.
This includes ease of chewing, as astronauts face lower muscle density, and low stickiness, as it’s not possible to use water to wash hands, according to export manager Vadym Ivanov.
“This is food for high level athletes, so it’s relevant for sports people. It also appeals to space enthusiasts,” he said, adding that parents use the brand, named Spacefood, to engage children in the space industry.
“This is a future market, when people start going to space. We’re planning a little ahead but we’re trying to connect science, foodies and sports people and create a conversion point around space food,” he said.
The Spacefood range is available to buy online, but the company is now looking for retail listings, including in the UK, to help grow revenue while testing for space flights continues.
”We can supply in bulk to other factories, but we also want to list in supermarkets while we continue to invest in our technology,” said Ivanov.
Dried fruit is a high growth area in the snacking category as consumers look for healthier options.
