Every once in a while, I think about childhood products I used to like. Recently, I was thinking about Space Food Sticks. They were delicious chocolate-flavored precursors to energy bars. Plus, they were actually developed for NASA, which sparked the excitement of any child of the 70’s. I remember my parents getting them when we hiked. I don’t remember them in any other context. They were sort of like long Tootsie Rolls, but they tasted quite different. I loved them.
Searching for information on the internet, I stumbled across www.spacefoodsticks.com. It’s a site devoted to SFS. They say that the original producer, Pillsbury, stopped making SFS in 1980. But they also say this:
We hired internationally-renowned food scientist Mario Medri to re-engineer the formula based on original ingredients and existing samples. Without Mario’s random act of kindness (he didn’t know us but he could tell we had passion) Space Food Sticks would be a distant memory. Mario introduced us to Kalman Vadasz, the “Michelangelo” of the confectionary business for over 40 years, to recreate the taste and texture of the originals. The results exceeded our wildest expectations. We hope you agree.
Space Food Sticks are currently being produced! How exciting! Where could I get them? I could order them online, but they’re also being sold in a few places around the country. One of those places was the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Only one hour from me! Woo hoo!
I went yesterday and got a Space Food Stick.
It was bigger than I remember. The originals were skinnier… about the size of Slim Jim.
The texture is just what I remember. It’s chewy, but it also has kind of a cakey texture …or something. Dang it, I’m not doing a very good job describing it, but the texture was dead-on. But did it taste right? Yes and no. I have a terrible memory, so I don’t know if I’m remembering correctly. Tasting the SFS gave me a flood of memories, but I did not go into a full-blown memory seizure like I thought I would. Is that a shortcoming of this incarnation of SFS, or is it a failing of my memory? Whatever the case, these are very good, and I could definitely taste the nostalgia. Even though they were overpriced at the Smithsonian, I got a few to take home. I will enjoy them as slowly as I can
Hmmmm….. at first I didn’t have any idea what you were talking about, but then you said ‘like a Tootsie Roll’ and I had a memory spark of something skinny and vaguely chocolately, but then your picture is completely different. Dang it – was was that skinny candy thing? Thanks a lot.
I’m so glad for you, though! Quest achieved! Cheers to the good people at Space Food Sticks for bringin’ back the love! Do you think that in the 70’s kids thought we’d be eating these all the time?
Who is this guy who breaks the rules & eats in the museum? 😉
I don’t remember these Space Sticks at all. But I do remember Fudgies. Mmmmm. they don’t make them any more. Come on Kraft….bring those back! Don’t let Space Sticks outdo you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60585948@N00/3464168166/
And Yay for a nostalgic weekend for both of us! I challenge you to a game of King of the Hill.
I am a little jealous that you can just scoot on over to the Smithsonian for a treat.
I am also wondering if our society is overusing/misusing the word “passion”.
This blog needs a “like” button….just sayin’…
I would eat these by the BOX full. My order is on it’s way. I can’t wait for Christmas in March..!!..
Haha! Merry Christmas! And I hope you enjoy tasting the memories!