Library features insects for eating at 'Bug Appetit' event

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Insects are considered a food source in many parts of the world, but the idea of crunching on a cricket or masticating a mealworm isn’t exactly palatable in the U.S. In fact, eating bugs has been used as a punishment or challenge in many a reality game show.

A ravenous group of curious kids descended upon the Kokomo Howard County Library on July 15 to snack on some superworms and chomp on some cookies made from creepy-crawlies. Their conclusion? Bugs taste … good!

In a presentation entitled, “Bug Appetit,” Dr. Christine Picard from the Indiana University Indianapolis School of Science, explained how insects can serve as a vital food source.

Picard pointed out that insects are very high in protein and can easily be converted into foodstuffs, such as flour made from crickets. And because of their small size, they can be farmed compactly. In fact, vertical farming is entirely possible with insects, requiring the smallest fraction of land as compared to cattle, sheep, and pigs.

And insects procreate at a much faster rate than other protein food sources. They replenish in a matter of days, rather than months.

All of this can work to benefit food availability and prices. Roughly 25 percent of all meat production is devoted to feeding domestic animals -- cats, dogs, etc. By substituting a portion of that with insect proteins, feeding pets becomes more sustainable and affordable.

"I can tell you my dog loves cricket food," said Picard. "He loves, loves, loves it."

The only significant drawback to using insects as a protein source is that people who have seafood allergies may also be allergic to eating insects. However, Picard explained that crickets, mealworms, and grasshoppers all have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption.

“We're hopeful that this industry is growing,” said Picard. “This industry is probably only about 15 years old. And it is growing in terms of the number of companies that are now associated with it.”

But, for now, Amazon is the easiest place to procure insects for eating. That didn’t stop the dozens of kids – and parents – who set aside their fears and uncertainty to try a cricket cookie, a chocolate covered grasshopper, or a candied bug.

Surprisingly, the snacks were very well-received. Some kids went for seconds. The bravest filled their plates. And only a very few decided bugs weren’t meant for their menus.

Bug Appetit is just one of a plethora of activities taking place at the Kokomo Howard County Public Library during its Summer Reading Program. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.khcpl.org.