Toronto's Summerhill Market is a gourmet grocer that's thinking ahead when it comes to the future of food. In line with a movement that's seeing products and restaurants featuring edible insects as main ingredients, the Canadian market has now added protein-rich cricket pies and mealworm protein balls to its menu of items that are freshly made at the store. Other dry items that are offered on-site include Moroccan roasted crickets, sea salt and pepper seasoned mealworms and sacks of organic cricket flour.
While many parts of the world rely on edible insects as a part of their diet, insects have yet to become staples of Western cuisine. However, gourmet grocers like Summerhill Market are on the forefront of changing consumer attitudes on bugs as a source of nourishment.
Photo Credit: Laura Takahashi
Insect-Infused Desserts
Gourmet Grocer Summerhill Market is Now Selling Edible Insect Treats
Trend Themes
1. Edible Insects as Main Ingredients - There is an emerging trend of products and restaurants featuring edible insects as main ingredients, presenting opportunities for innovative insect-infused creations in the food industry.
2. Changing Attitudes on Bugs as Food - Gourmet grocers like Summerhill Market are changing consumer attitudes on bugs as a source of nourishment, creating an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the food industry.
3. Insect-based Protein Alternatives - The inclusion of protein-rich cricket pies and mealworm protein balls in gourmet grocers' menus reflects a growing trend of offering insect-based protein alternatives, providing room for disruptive innovation in the food industry.
Industry Implications
1. Food Industry - The food industry can explore innovative insect-infused creations and insect-based protein alternatives to cater to the changing consumer attitudes on bugs as food.
2. Grocery Industry - Gourmet grocers can seize the opportunity to introduce insect-infused desserts and other products to change consumer perceptions and diversify their offerings.
3. Sustainable Food Industry - The sustainable food industry can incorporate edible insects as main ingredients to promote environmental sustainability and provide disruptive innovation in the market.