[WORTH] T R Y I N G
Sustainable and Cost-Effective
18
Critter Cuisine
T
By Andrea Ordonez
hey’re creepy, crawly, and … way healthier than a steak. Within the last decade, insect protein has slowly emerged in the food world as a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional sources of meat. In fact, according to Global Market Insight, the edible bug industry is projected to reach a market value of $1.5 billion by 2026. But despite all this promise, whenever I told my very supportive friends, I’d be scarfing down scorpions and seasoned worms for you, dear reader, I was greeted with a whole lot of cringe. While indulging on a plate of crickets seems more bro-y or Bear Grylls, women have actually done a lot to push the edible insects industry forward, says Simone Traverse, sales and marketing operations manager at Aspire Food Group, a business-to-business ingredient company focused on processing crickets for products suited for pets and people.
