Page 22 - MENU May June 2017

FOOD CHAIN
FROM SPACE TO SPOON
BY STACEY NEWMAN
There are many technologies used in foodservice that are, howev- er, rooted in space research and technology in Canada. These in- novations impact just about any food item from farm or factory, to plate, as well as the steps along the way. Space technology might seem far out, but in reality, space technology plays a significant role in foodservice.
The Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum launched its Space to Spoon exhibit in Moncton, New Brunswick in March where the travelling exhibit will remain until May 21. Space to Spoon was developed by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (CAFM) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The mission of their collaboration is to highlight Canada's agricul- tural heritage, contemporary agricultural problems and solutions. Today, space innovations are increasingly present in our everyday lives as well as in agricultural practices.
Space to Spoon was conceived to:
• Inform Canadians about Earth observation technologies and how they bene- t our daily lives by improving the management and quality of crops.
• Demonstrate the usefulness of satellite data in agriculture and how radar data is gathered, processed and interpreted.
• Promote RADARSAT-2 technology and the future RADARSAT Constellation to new audiences.
• Awaken young Canadians’ interests in space, science and technology.
The exhibit explains simply and accessibly how RADARSAT-2 satellite data is collected, interpreted and used to impact the food on our plates by enabling better management and quality of crops. The four modules of this innovative exhibit feature hands-on models, videos, photos and
What does space have to do with foodservice? Let’s rst dispel a popu- lar myth! Contrary to popular belief, Tang (the fruit a- voured beverage) was not invented by NASA for astro- nauts. The Tang brand is owned by Mondelez Interna- tional. Tang was rst marketed as a powder in the late 1950s, and it was originally formu- lated by General Mills. The beverage didn’t become pop- ular until it was used on astronaut John Glenn’s ight in 1962.
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