On Insects as Food

Something that the youth group who visited on Saturday talked about frequently in their discussion of social justice is starvation. My group of friends and family members has been discussing a related topic over the last few weeks -- insects as food, or "entomophagy."

Cicada Sushi (Source)

The U.N. has, in recent years, reminded the world that there are 1,900 edible insect species in the world, many of which are already eaten by humans. This friendly reminder was certainly prompted by the rising human population, which, at the current rate, will reach 9 billion by the year 2050 A.D.

A Swimming Pool in China (Source)

In the meantime, the demand for livestock meat in low- and middle-income countries is increasing, and the livestock industry is proving to produce more greenhouse gasses than most modes of transportation combined. The waste and chemical pollution it produces and land it takes is titanic.

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In contrast, insects use less land to raise, require less feed, in some cases can survive in harsher environments. They also often provide as much or more protein and nutrients than normal meat, with less fat to boot.

Many legal and scientific roadblocks to a large insect food market exist. This is because the environmental and health effects are not fully known. However, global organizations and private entities involved in food are already selling insect-based food, including local Arkansas business Ozark Fiddler Farms in Fayetteville.

A Fiddler Farm Grasshopper (Source)

I don't believe C.M.A.P. will be raising insects for human consumption anytime soon (perhaps insects for livestock consumption would be different), but I look forward to seeing how this food source develops as a viable alternative to traditional livestock!

#environment #livestock #bugs #insects #food