Once frowned upon by civilized society, the “incredible, edible insect” is coming to the food forefront. Touted to be nutrient-rich, all-natural – and as all NJ pest control customers know, abundant – will this unlikely new protein end up on your grocery list?
Marketing mayhem?
Products are rapidly arising in response to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations titled “Edible Insects: Future Prospects for Food and Feed Security,” citing insects as “the” solution for a looming, population-driven food crisis and increased demand for economically viable proteins. Among them:
- “Critter Bitters”, ramping up cocktails in a bar near you.
- Insect protein powders.
- Cricket protein bars.
- Cricket chips.
- Cricket meal or flour, ground into crackers, cookies, chocolates, and more.
- Ground cricket “peanut” butter.
- Cricket burgers.
- Dog treats (at least closer to an authentic doggie diet than many grain-based foods).
Or tasty tidbit?
The practice of eating insects (entomophagy), has been an accepted practice for millennia, gaining momentum in the West, particularly in response to crickets. Luckily, the timing coincides with a complex and plentiful planetary crisis, combined with a more self-aware foodie population, prompting more adventurous eating habits – and the first ever cricket farm in Youngstown, OH.
If this story isn’t enough to send the insects in your kitchen fleeing in horror – we can. 86 the bugs. Contact the NJ pest control experts at Allison Pest Control today.