Mealworm CRISIS

During my game of telephone with different pet stores, I found out some interesting information from The Animal Company pet store in Noe Valley. Apparently, there is a nationwide MEALWORM CRISIS.

For the past several months or so, pet stores have been short or completely out of mealworms. Pet stores are affected because they usually buy their live feed through major and/or independent distributors. Some independent companies are feeling the pinch too because they depend on the major distributors as well.

I was told that some major distributor tested their batch of mealworms, found traces of pesticides in it, and had to throw out the whole batch. There could be other reasons for the shortage, such as mold. In any case, the demand is definitely larger than its supply.Right now, most shops only have king or superworms available. These are slightly harder to raise since larvae needs to be forced to turn into a pupa. This requires more effort because each larvae needs to be isolated in their own space (see picture above). After the larvae turns into a pupa, it then turns into beetle. The beetle then lays eggs and starts the cycle again. See the process and cycle here for a better visual.

Personal Sustainability Project Objective

As part of my Contemporary Issues Class at CCA, I am taking on a Personal Sustainability Project. My PSP will focus on living a more sustainable diet through raising my own “minilivestock” by rearing, harvesting, and incorporating insects in my own daily diet. In addition to my PSP, I will use design to help further the voice of an existing organization or create my own.

Entomophagy, or “insect eating”, has been widely practiced throughout the world over thousands of years, but is uncommon in Western countries today. I am aware of the environmental and social impact of my carnivorous diet, and sometimes attempt to reduce my intake of traditional farm-raised livestock such as cattle, pigs, chicken, and sea food. Introducing insects to my diet will not only offer me an additional meat option, but will hopefully help reduce my own carbon footprint.

Entomophagy may also be an answer to the many issues we face today, such as health, world hunger, poverty, environmental, global warming, crop and pest control, rising cost of food and resources, etc. It can be beneficial for the entire planet. Entomophagy definitely has a place in today’s "going green" campaign, but how much does "going green" mean to people, and would they go as "far" as to eating insects? How would people feel if they found out that they unknowingly eat approximately 1lb of bugs a year? How soon will it become part of the natural human (Western) diet?

I've been curious about insects as part of the human diet for the past year, but have yet to actively explore it. This project will be the launch pad to for me to put my thoughts into action. Here, you will find updates on my minilivestock farm, cooking with insects, information, and conversation. Through this process, I hope to create a better understanding and awareness of Entomophagy, and hopefully inspire others as well as myself.

Please forward this page to anyone you like. I would like to start up a community and some dialogue.

Thanks!

-Ro