Bringing almonds, hazelnuts, creams, and other such products into space and contributing to research into feeding astronauts. A project launched by the Sicilian company Damiano has its production site in Torrenova in the province of Messina. The company, a leader in the production and processing of dried fruit from organic farming, has launched the Space Food project on feeding astronauts in space, “which will be carried out in collaboration with Space Experience, the Scientific and Technological Research and Experimentation association that works with the major space agencies and space explorers,” reads a note.
“This ambitious project, which testifies to Damiano’s ability to look to the future and constantly innovate, will allow the company to bring its contribution to the space food system and will be an important opportunity to integrate and enhance its expertise in the nutritional field,” explains the company. “The collaboration, which will start in the coming months, will follow the long and complex phases that characterize the aerospace context and will see a strong synergy between Damiano’s Research & Development department and Space Experience’s professionals”.
Astronauts food
Space Food wants to move in two main directions: the project will ‘enable the company to bring its contribution to the space food system’ and, at the same time, represents an ‘important opportunity to integrate and enhance its expertise in the nutritional field’. Improving one’s skills and, at the same time, helping to solve the puzzle of food in space: killing two birds with one stone, in short. Or an almond, better still.
The project was presented by Riccardo Damiano, managing director of the company and representative of the second generation in the family business from 2019, participated by the private equity fund Progressio Investimenti III during the company’s 60th-anniversary ceremony. It was founded in 1964 by Pasquale Damiano and once focused on processing hazelnuts from the Nebrodi. In this area, the plant is located; today, the company offers a range of more than 70 products destined for the food processing industry, specialized chains and large-scale distribution.
Fruit on Mars
Over the years, and especially more recently, the company has focused exclusively on organic dried fruit, with a view to environmental and social sustainability: in 2016, Damiano was one of the founding members of the BCorp movement in Italy. “Celebrating this important anniversary is a source of pride for the entire company and the people who passionately contribute to Damiano’s daily growth,” says the CEO. “It all started thanks to my father Pasquale’s visionary ability, and today, we are committed to carrying on this important legacy while respecting tradition, combined with the will to innovate, looking to the future.
Today, Damiano employs 90 people and is present in more than 30 countries around the world, including the USA, Germany, and France: it closed 2023 with a consolidated turnover of around 52 million euros but expects to reach more than 65 million in 2024, almost doubling its turnover within a couple of years (in 2022 it was 34 million). “We are exploring new markets with the aim of making our products and Made in Italy excellence known abroad, and this is also possible thanks to the numerous large-scale distribution partners who have chosen us and with whom we continue to collaborate,” explains general manager Pasquale Zumbo. Attention to the quality of raw materials, respect for the environment and research have always distinguished our company and contributed to this critical milestone”.
