Crickets chirping into the mainstream
But plant- and dairy-based proteins were not the only ones on offer at the show.
Increased demand for high-protein products, coupled with sustainability concerns relating to animal-derived protein are contributing to the growing buzz surrounding insect protein.
“There’s both an economic and environmental benefit to farming insects for protein,” said Chapul cricket-derived energy bars founder Patrick Crawley, who sampled three varieties at Expo West.
He noted that crickets not only have a similar protein content to livestock, but they need little water to live and eat mostly agricultural byproducts. The manufacturer has even caught the attention of network television, as Crawley will appear on ABC's reality series 'Shark Tank' this month.
