Edible Insect Workshop Engages Public in Sustainable Food Conversation

Introduction

It is estimated that the world population will exceed 9 billion people by 2050 (Evans, 2009; Godfray et al., 2010). Feeding this growing population will take agricultural innovations to improve productivity, initiatives to grow food in new places such as urban centers, and cultural momentum to explore new food alternatives with significant nutritive value. To bolster that point, a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report suggested that insect protein for human consumption should be considered as a source for nutrients in the future (van Huis et al., 2013).

However, proponents of the use of such unique food options and those involved in emerging insect food industries face challenges because food is a deeply rooted part of human culture and identity (Larson & Story, 2009) and eating insects is still considered taboo in most Western cultures. On the other hand, it is estimated that at least 2 billion people around the world consume insects as part of their traditional diets (van Huis et al., 2013). Although there are differences between species and life stages, from a nutritional standpoint, insects are generally high in protein and micronutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, B12, magnesium, and omega fatty acids (Rumpold & Schlüter, 2013).

Project Description

In light of suggestions to broaden the use of insect protein as a food source for humans, we developed a relevant resource-supported curriculum and then hosted a train-the-trainer edible insect workshop to teach fellow educators and volunteers about how eating insects could help solve future global food security challenges. Our objectives were to increase knowledge about consumption of edible insects worldwide, increase knowledge about insects as a nutrition source, introduce Ohio entrepreneurs who have created business models to address the larger conversation on food security, and provide a sensory evaluation of insect-fortified foods.

Given the looming food security issue and the short timeline for meeting the challenge, our intent was to use the workshop to begin the conversation on possible solutions. The workshop occurred April 8, 2016, and was funded by an Ohio State University Outreach and Engagement Grant. We began the 6-hr program with presentations on food security issues, insects-as-human-food concepts, nutritional benefits of insect consumption, and perspectives from other cultures where eating insects is not taboo. Prior to lunch, attendees participated in a sensory evaluation of insect-fortified foods. The workshop wrapped up with two presentations by Ohio companies, Big Cricket Farms, which produces food-grade crickets for human consumption, and Enviroflight LLC, which makes insect-based feed products for the aquaculture and pet industries.

To enable workshop participants to spread the word about entomophagy, we provided our resource-supported curriculum via USB flash drive and online. The curriculum includes a series of specific lessons, descriptions of local industry experiences, and explanation of sensory evaluation procedures (Table 1). To enhance the learning experience and quality of future workshops, we provided additional resources to each participant in the train-the-trainer workshop (Table 2).

At the end of the workshop, participants were asked to share the information and materials in their communities to engage adults and children in conversations about sustainable food options and to advance acceptance of insects as food. The lessons were formatted to be used either individually for specific presentations or together in larger workshops to promote awareness and pragmatic discussion about food security solutions involving insects.

Sensory Evaluation

Our purpose in incorporating a sensory evaluation component into the workshop was to introduce participants to a wide variety of insect-fortified foods currently on the market to dispel anxiety around eating these foods as part of a nutritional diet (Looy & Wood, 2006). The taste test included 12 foods containing processed crickets (Figure 1). Ten of these items are commercially available: four varieties of Chapul cricket protein bars (Salt Lake City, UT), three varieties of Six Foods cricket tortilla chips (San Francisco, CA), and three varieties of Bitty Foods cricket cookies (San Francisco, CA). Two additional items, a cinnamon cricket muffin and cranberry chocolate cricket bark, were homemade (prepared by our family and consumer sciences team member to ensure food safety) to familiarize participants with home applications for insect ingredients.

Figure 1.
Train-the-Trainer Workshop Participant Contemplates Next Bite of Cinnamon Muffin Made with Cricket Flour

In consultation with the Sensory Evaluation Program at The Ohio State University Department of Food Science and Technology, we demonstrated techniques that can be used to minimize bias (Robbins, 2003) during sensory evaluations. Participants were instructed on how to conduct a proper taste test for future workshops or presentations. A true sensory evaluation is different from a simple taste test because the samples are coded so that the tester does not know what he or she is eating. Participants evaluated each food sample using a standardized score sheet to rate the item in four categories: odor, appearance, flavor, and texture. The score sheet was developed around a 9-point hedonic balance scale ranging from 1 (extremely dislike) to 9 (extremely like).

Evaluation and Impacts

At the conclusion of the workshop, each participant and presenter received an evaluation form for documenting any changes in knowledge around edible insect–related topics. Results are shown in Table 3.

We found that participants' knowledge of edible insects was greater for all four question areas after the workshop as compared to before the workshop. The sensory evaluation positively influenced 50% of participants and very positively influenced 12% of participants regarding their perceptions toward insect-fortified food. As this was a train-the-trainer event, we also wanted to know whether participants intended to present the curriculum material in whole or in part in their communities; 87% of participants responded that they would share the workshop with adults and children within the subsequent 12 months.

We followed up with educators within 12 months of the train-the-trainer workshop. We found that three educators had used the workshop content to teach others. Their programs were all geared toward youths, ranging from preschool-aged children to teenagers, and they had reached over 300 youths.

Summary

Our workshop demonstrated that varied Extension program areas are relevant when discussing the topic of edible insects and food security. 4-H educators can introduce these concepts to youths, agricultural educators can discuss environmental impacts of raising microlivestock versus traditional livestock, and family consumer science educators can explore healthful food options using insects as novel ingredients. If eating insects is part of our future, there are multiple programming angles that we in Extension need to consider.

References

Evans, A. (2009). The feeding of the nine billion: Global food security for the 21st century WFP United Nations World Food Programme—Fighting Hunger Worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.wfp.org/stories/feeding-ten-billion-global-food-security-21st-century

Godfray, H. C., Beddington, J. R., Crute, I. R., Haddad, L., Lawrence, D., Muir, J. F., & Toulmin, C. (2010). Food security: The challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Retrieved from http://science.sciencemag.org/content/327/5967/812.full

Larson, N., & Story, M. (2009). A review of environmental influences on food choices. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 38, S56–S73.

Looy, H., & Wood, J. R. (2006). Attitudes toward invertebrates: Are educational "bug banquets" effective? Journal of Environmental Education, 37, 37–48.

Robbins, J. A. (2003). A simple method to determine consumer preference. Journal of Extension, 41(5), Article 5TOT4. Available at: https://www.joe.org/joe/2003october/tt4.php

Rumpold, B. A., & Schlüter, O. K. (2013). Nutritional composition and safety aspects of edible insects. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, 57, 802–823. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201200735

van Huis, A., Van Itterbeeck, J., Klunder, H., Mertens, E., Halloran, A., Muir, G., & Vantomme, P. (2013). Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security. FAO Forestry Paper 171. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.