With current environmentally-damaging food systems struggling to produce enough nutritious food for the world’s growing population, scientists are exploring alternative protein sources.
Edible insects are a promising option. They are highly diverse with more than 2100 edible species, highly nutritious being rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other micronutrients, and have a low environmental footprint.
Farming insects requires less feed, land and water than farming beef, pork or chicken and produces fewer greenhouse gases. Since 80 to 100 per cent of the insect is eaten, little goes to waste and the excrement, or frass, can be used in the garden as a nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Dr Rocio Ponce-Reyes from CSIRO is this week’s guest speaker at Friday Environment Forum. She will present an overview of current edible insect research, emphasising the environmental benefits of insects as a complementary protein.
Rocio says: “hopefully my presentation will whet your appetite to try them.”
Keen to learn more about an alternative protein source that will benefit the planet? Come along to the NPA Environment Centre, 5 Wallace Drive, Noosaville, where the forum starts at 10:30am and coffee is available at 10am. Entry is $5 by ‘tap & go’ at the door.
Registration is essential and the link is available at noosaparks.org.au/friday-environment-forum/
