The Buzz Around Edible Insects

In 2007, founder of the Edible Bug Shop, Skye Blackburn, exhibited the company's products at the Good Food & Wine Show.  When reflecting on that experience during an interview with her she said  "It was as if we had a force field around us. No-one would come near us."  

Fast forward 16 years and the company is now not only attracting sufficient numbers of customers and retailers to their product range that they consistently run out of stock, they now get paid for their presence at shows and exhibitions.

"Today there's a lot of interest.  People have heard about insects, they want to know more, and they are keen for the chance to try them," said Skye.

The growth in awareness of edible insects in Australia over the past decade has been significant and reflects rising interest in learning more about the nutritional, environmental, social and cultural aspects of food and eating.

Skye’s efforts to educate the public have coincided with rising consumer consciousness about selecting foods that are not only nutrient dense and good for 'me', but which also contribute to creating a better world. 

As a protein rich food that uses less energy and water, and creates less greenhouse gases in production than many other traditional sources of protein, while also using food waste for feed, rising consumption of insects offers one way to reduce the environmental impact of the food system.

A key sign that insects are moving into the mainstream has been the stocking of cricket protein powder by Woolworths, with the initial supply selling out within a day of being on the shelf.

From the original handmade insect containing lollypops that launched the Edible Bug Shop into the food market, to today's Snack Crickets, BBQ flavoured Tortilla Chips and lemon myrtle pasta, Skye believes their success is not only based on the products themselves, but also the experiences connected with trying and consuming edible insects as food.

With Global Market Insights predicting the market for edible insects will grow 47% CAGR between 2023 and 2032, the future looks bright for the industry.

For further details on the Edible Bug Shop go here.