- Yum Bug is a food company on a mission to make insects a more mainstream food source.
- Founded in 2018, the company creates meat-alternative foods made out of crickets – which are a high source of protein.
- The company has been backed by investors Carl Pei, Holly Branson and James Watt, and is opening a restaurant pop-up in Finsbury Park this year.
Website: www.yumbug.com
What is Yum Bug?
Yum Bug is a startup that is setting out to redefine how people eat protein by replacing animal meat with crickets. Founded in 2018 by co-founders Leo and Aaron, the company started in their garage and has since expanded to included pop up restaurants and meal kits.
With their cricket-based alternatives to traditional meat, the company is giving people more sustainable protein options and aims to make insect food more mainstream.
The company, which creates products like mince, strips, patties, whole crickets and powdered crickets, claim that their food has high-protein, omega-3s and 6s and nutrients like B12, calcium, and iron, all while producing 15 times less CO₂ than beef. Their products are perfect for restaurants and homes, helping to create delicious food without the environmental cost.
With a focus on creating products that look, taste and provide nutrition similar to traditional meat, Yum Bug has created an eco-friendly alternative to traditional animal protein.
The business has already caught the attention of several investors, including Carl Pei, Holly Branson and James Watt.
What Makes Yum Bug Unique?
Whilst the idea of eating insects isn’t unique, creating a brand that focuses on insect protein without compromising on taste is. Their products aren’t just eco-friendly, they also are backed with nutritional benefits and are tasty too. Yum Bug claim that their products have more protein than beef, higher calcium than milk, and more iron than spinach.
To help people get over the idea of eating insects, the company has hosted pop ups in Shoreditch and Finsbury Park, collaborating with top chefs to create delicious dishes. They have also developed at-home meal kits and products that people can buy and cook at home, helping them adopt more sustainable habits.
This focus on sustainability has allowed them to develop a product that reduces the green house gas emissions, land, food and water usage that is consumed by traditional livestock, without compromising on taste or nutrition.
This has helped Yum Bug position themselves as a real-food company, giving consumers and companies delicious and eco-friendly food options.
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Is There A Market For Edible Insects?
Yes, the edible insect market is growing. According to a report by WUR, over 2 billion people in the world already eat insects, meaning there is a demand for these products. However, in many Western and European countries where this is not already commonplace, creating insect-based products is certainly an untapped opportunity.
Yum Bug’s products are particularly smart because they create items that imitate meat, but are made up of crickets. As more people try and make sustainable food choices without compromising on taste, Yum Bug is set to disrupt the protein market across the UK and Europe.
What Products Does Yum Bug Have?
- Yum Bug Mince: A versatile, cricket-based meat alternative.
- Yum Bug Strips: Perfect for stir-fries and wraps.
- Yum Bug Patty: A burger patty packed with protein and flavor.
- Whole Crickets: Sustainably farmed, edible whole crickets.
- Cricket Powder: A nutrient-rich ingredient for cooking and baking.
- Cricket-Powered Ready Meals: Ready-to-eat, high-protein meals.