Why We Should Eat Bugs with Dr. Aaron T. Dossey of All Things Bugs
In this conversation, Dr. Aaron T. Dossey discusses the surprising amount of land clearing around the globe for agriculture and its detrimental effects on the environment, including biodiversity loss and climate change. The solution, according to our guest, is insect protein as a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock because of the efficiency and nutritional benefits of growing insects for food. Dr. Dossey shares his journey into the field of entomophagy, detailing how he transitioned from a passion for insects to founding All Things Bugs LLC where he focuses on the commercialization of insect-based food products.
In this conversation, Dr. Aaron T. Dossey discusses the challenges of the insect protein market, the processing techniques he developed, the hurdles faced in scaling production, and the importance of consumer acceptance. Dr.Dossey emphasizes the need for collaboration within the industry and shares his vision for a sustainable future where insect protein becomes a mainstream food source.
Takeaways:
Land clearing contributes significantly to climate change.
Deforestation leads to loss of biodiversity and ecosystem degradation.
Insect protein is more sustainable than traditional livestock.
Insects require less water and resources for production.
Insects provide complete proteins and essential nutrients.
Funding opportunities can drive innovation in sustainable food sources.
Product development in insect protein is complex but necessary.
Scaling insect farming can address food security issues.
Serendipity plays a role in entrepreneurial success.
Innovative processing techniques can enhance the quality of insect protein.
Market challenges include competition from lower-quality products.
Consumer acceptance is crucial for scaling insect protein products.
Collaboration within the industry can lead to more efficient practices.
Raising awareness about the benefits of insect protein is essential.
Funding and investment are critical for growth in this sector.
Sustainable practices can make insect protein a viable alternative.
The ingredient price must be competitive for widespread adoption.
Consumer products can help normalize insect protein in diets.
A better world includes more wild spaces and equitable economic systems.
Chapters
00:00 - The Problem of Land Clearing
10:06 - Insect Protein as a Sustainable Solution
22:38 - The Journey into Entomophagy
38:06 - Product Development and Commercialization of Insect Protein
38:11 - Innovations in Insect Processing
41:01 - Challenges in the Insect Protein Market
44:43 - Scaling Production and Overcoming Barriers
49:20 - Consumer Acceptance and Market Strategies
52:37 - Future of Insect Protein in Food Products
58:48 - Ways to Support Insect Protein Initiatives
01:03:35 - Vision for a Better World
Sound Bites
“It appears that land clearing potentially is a bigger problem than climate change."
"We're losing species faster than we can track."
"Insects are really a no-brainer when you really look at their benefits, their efficiency, all the positive attributes and lack of negative – other than perception, there really aren't a lot of negative attributes."
"Insects use very little water compared to livestock. For example I see usually around 1% water use compared to beef, or something in that range.”
"Insects are complete proteins, unlike many plants."
"We need to scale up sustainable technologies quickly."
"We need to reduce beef and dairy consumption."
"We are the R&D labs for major food manufacturers."
