Today’s Solutions: December 26, 2024

According to the United Nations, there are over 1,900 edible insect species worldwide, and eating more of them could help mitigate climate change, as well as fight global food insecurity. Working towards that goal, an Israeli company has been keeping busy making an infamous insect a key ingredient of some of our favorite candy and snacks.

That’s right, food technology firm Hargol has been harvesting locusts to produce a variety of treats for your sweet tooth, from gummy bears to chocolate-flavored protein bars.

The gummy bears, which come in fruit flavors like strawberry and orange, are made from locusts native to Israel. The protein bars are made from locusts that are fed organic grass beforehand, to ensure that no pesticides are involved in the process.

Locusta migratoria is one of the two types of locusts considered to be kosher and halal,” Dror Tamir, the founder of Hargol, told Haaretz.

Can you eat locusts?

Locusts are part of the same family as grasshoppers, which are the most commonly eaten insect worldwide. What makes these insects such a popular dish — in addition to the crunch — is that they are highly nutritious. According to research, locusts contain 71 percent whole protein. They also contain omega-3, zinc, calcium, and many other vitamins. What’s more, they contain no saturated fat, making them healthier than alternative protein sources like meat and dairy.

Is eating insects good for the environment?

In addition to providing a higher nutritional value than farmed meat, a locust diet is also better for the environment. Farming locusts doesn’t need much water and the carbon footprint is also small. Plus, there are no methane emissions compared to livestock farming, where cow burps are a growing environmental problem.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Migration of 6 million antelope in South Sudan is the largest land mammal mov...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF A thorough aerial study in South Sudan revealed a startling migration of six million antelope, establishing it as ...

Read More

Volcanic ash may be a game changer in sustainable solar energy storage solutions

When calamity hits and volcanic ash blankets the land, it is commonly perceived negatively, for many obvious reasons. However, novel research from the University of ...

Read More

Wind and solar energy production in US surpasses coal for the first time in h...

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), wind and solar energy generated more electricity than coal ...

Read More

The Dominican Republic reforests a fifth of the country in just 10 years

In the heart of the Dominican Republic, the dramatic story of land reclamation unfolds. Carlos Rodríguez, a diligent farmer, thinks about the once barren ...

Read More