Edible Insects in Sustainable Food Systems

This text provides an important overview of the contributions of edible insects to ecological sustainability, livelihoods, nutrition and health, food culture and food systems around the world. While insect farming for both food and feed is rapidly increasing in popularity around the world, the role that wild insect species have played in the lives and societies of millions of people worldwide cannot be ignored. In order to represent this diversity, this work draws upon research conducted in a wide range of geographical locations and features a variety of different insect species.

Edible insects in Sustainable Food Systems comprehensively covers the basic principles of entomology and population dynamics; edible insects and culture; nutrition and health; gastronomy; insects as animal feed; factors influencing preferences and acceptability of insects; environmental impacts and conservation; considerations for insect farming and policy and legislation.The book contains practical information for researchers, NGOs and international organizations, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and students.

Dr. Afton Halloran completed her PhD on cricket farming in Thailand and Kenya in August 2017 under the GREEiNSECT research project at the University of Copenhagen. She formally worked for the Insects as Food and Feed Programme at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, where she co-authored Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security. 

Roberto Flore is the Head of Research and Development at the Nordic Food Lab, University of Copenhagen. Roberto is one of the authors of On eating insects: essays, stories and recipes, a Phaidon Press publication. He is also one of the protaganists in the 2016 documentary BUGS. 

Paul Vantomme is a retired Senior Forestry Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Paul is responsible for initaiting the Insects for Food and Feed Programme at the FAO. He is also a co-author on the publication, Edible insects: future prospects for food and feed security. 

Dr. Nanna Roos is an Associate Professor in Human Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen. She has extensive experience in research and research capacity in the linkages between human nutrition and insects. She is the principal investigator of the GREEiNSECT research project.