UK “Ento-preneurs” Launch Mophagy: Wholesaler for Edible Insects

11 Apr 2016 --- Mophagy, a new European wholesaler of edible cricket and mealworm, has just launched its new range of products in the UK, offering the simplest way to get hold of the best quality insect ingredients for EU businesses.

Founded in early 2016 by Josh Bentham and Harry Harrison's mission is to reimagine the future of food through insects, normalizing the practice and championing insects as a brand new super food.

Mophagy offer a range of cricket and mealworm based lines for wholesale, including powdered, whole and flavoured; ideal for use as ingredients in both sweet and savory recipes such as smoothies, bars and pasta or as ready-to-eat – as a snack, or sprinkled on cereal.

Harrison says, “In the West, entomophagy is one of nature’s best kept secrets. Crickets and mealworms are packed full of protein and micronutrients, have a wonderfully nutty, umami flavor and are incredibly environmentally friendly to produce; they really do put the super in superfood.”

Speaking with FoodIngredientsFirst Harrison said: “We are having conversations with a number of different chefs who are interested in using the flavor profiles in new dishes within their restaurants and experimenting on what can be done. We are also in contact with the health supplements market as well, who see this as a really good edition to the more traditional protein powders.”

Harrison and Bentham extensively researched the credentials these ingredients offered – nutrition, flavor and sustainability – and couldn’t believe how little was known about them in the UK food industry, let alone how difficult it was to get hold of a good quality supply.

After months of research and product testing, Mophagy teamed up with Entomo Farms, a well-established Canadian producer, who already supply some of the largest entomophagy brands in the US.

Jarrod Goldin from Entomo Farms said: “North American demand for insect based products has grown exponentially over the past 18 months. The Mophagy partnership has already proven Europe to be following this trend, and are now set up to supply our insects at the best possible price and with the highest level of service across the UK and EU.”

Bentham says: “We have a fantastic relationship with Entomo – we know the quality and flavor of their insects are second-to-none, and likewise they appreciate our ability to reduce costs, lead times and hassle for EU customers, so it really is a win-win-win scenario.”

While there is still some anxiety from the food industry as to how consumers will react to the prospect of insect based products, Harrison and Bentham are confident of a positive reception.

Bentham adds: “Consumer feedback – supported by results in the US market – have proven that people are curious; once they understand the benefits, the versatility and have had their first taste, the vast majority lose any pre-existing negative psychological barriers and go back for more.”

Mophagy will also be introducing a range of consumer facing lines available from late May.

Bentham will be attending and speaking at the 1st Annual Woven Network conference today at the University of Nottingham.

Woven Network is the UK consortium for Insects as Food and Feed – with a focus on connecting businesses, researchers and others working on the role of insects in the human food chain.

A video interview with Bentham at the World Food Innovate, can be seen here.

by Elizabeth Kenward

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