Bugeater Foods wins USDA grant to develop cricket pasta
According to the Omaha World-Herald, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) awarded start-up Bugeater Foods, operating out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Food Innovation Center, $100,000 to find new ways to turn insects into safe, healthful staple food products that taste good.
According to the Omaha World-Herald, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) awarded start-up Bugeater Foods, operating out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Food Innovation Center, $100,000 to find new ways to turn insects into safe, healthful staple food products that taste good. In the first phase, the company is testing a rice-shaped pasta along with ramen and macaroni noodles. If this goes well, it hopes to secure a phase-two grant worth an additional $600,000, which would cover the cost of developing and manufacturing a commercial-ready product.
The USDA grant is Bugeater’s first six-figure investment. Chief Executive Officer Kelly Sturek called it a turning point for the small company, with a team of three: Julianne Kopf, food scientist, and Alec Wiese, marketing and branding. The Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development partially matched the grant with an additional $65,000.
At the Food Innovation Center, Sturek and Kopf are testing different formulations of cricket powder in their pasta dough. They plan to set up taste-test trials this spring, and send their products to chefs for feedback.