Gull Lake-based Trails End Buffalo Stix has had its beef jerky and meat sticks selected for use by Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk.

Twila Wedrick, one of the owners of Trails End Buffalo Stix, said the Canadian Space Agency first approached the company about a year and a half ago.

“They reached out to us, the Canadian Space Agency reached out to us and asked if they could purchase some product just for us to try testing with the opportunity of possibly going to space with the next launch,” Wedrick said.

The company supplied products for testing to ensure they met the requirements for spaceflight.

Wedrick said the products underwent testing to ensure they would remain safe to consume and would not develop bacteria during the mission.

“We’re already federally inspected and tested, so we met all those requirements already, but they also do their own testing just to confirm,” she said.

The company’s meat sticks have a two-year shelf life and are made without preservatives, with oxygen removed from the packaging.

Wedrick said the opportunity was particularly meaningful because Trails End Buffalo Stix products have previously been used by Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield.

“Surreal. We’re grateful and honoured and humbled by it for sure,” she said. “Who could say that the space agency is reaching out to you to take your product to possibly launch? It’s a pretty big deal.”

The launch was originally scheduled for Sept. 12, with four members of the Trails End Buffalo Stix team expected to attend at NASA. However, technical issues pushed the launch back.

Wedrick said the company was informed last Thursday that the launch had been rescheduled for this Thursday, but the short notice meant the group could no longer attend in person.

“We were looking forward to being able to go, but we just aren’t able to go this go-around,” she said.

The company is hoping to watch the launch virtually.

Trails End Buffalo Stix products are sold locally through the Granary Bakery in Gull Lake and online. The company also participates in Christmas markets across the southwest.

Wedrick said the products are designed to be a convenient source of protein for people on the go.

“They’re a great healthy snack that you can throw in a purse, a backpack, a sports bag,” she said. “They’re nice for travelling because they’re not going to spoil in your bags.”

The company produces its products through the food centre in Saskatoon and credits the facility with helping it meet the requirements necessary to bring its products to market.

Wedrick said the opportunity to have the products used by another Canadian astronaut has been a memorable experience for the local business.

“It’s a pretty cool opportunity,” she said. “We’ve worked hard, and we stand behind our product.”