From Farm to Table: When an Insect Farmer Met Edible Insects in Mexico

A Culinary Encounter in Puerto Vallarta

Last month, our CEO David Fluker had what most would consider an ordinary tourist experience in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – being offered a local delicacy. But for David, the plate of chapulines (toasted grasshoppers seasoned with lime and spices) represented a fascinating intersection of his professional life and an emerging global food trend.

As the CEO of Soldier Fly Technologies and the owner of Fluker Farms, David is no stranger to insects. In fact, as a second-generation insect farmer, he's spent his life surrounded by critters that most people try to avoid. The difference? His companies have traditionally focused on producing insects as feed for reptiles and other animals – not as snacks for humans.

The Rising Tide of Entomophagy

David's encounter with chapulines highlights a growing global movement: entomophagy, or the practice of eating insects. While approximately 2 billion people worldwide already include insects in their diet as a traditional food source, Western countries are only beginning to embrace what might be the most sustainable protein on the planet.

The edible insect market is projected to reach $8 billion by 2030, growing at a remarkable rate as consumers become more conscious about sustainable food choices. This growth is driven by several compelling factors:

• Environmental efficiency: Insects require significantly less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock, while producing fewer greenhouse gases.

• Nutritional powerhouses: Many edible insects contain more protein by weight than beef, along with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

• Feed conversion ratio: Insects convert feed to protein much more efficiently than traditional livestock.

When Worlds Collide: Feed Meets Food

For David Fluker, the chapulines represented more than just a culinary adventure – they symbolized the convergence of two markets he understands deeply.

"After decades of farming insects for the reptile and pet industry through Fluker Farms, it's fascinating to see the human food market developing around these same creatures," David reflected after his trip. "The expertise we've developed in raising insects efficiently and at scale has unexpected applications in this emerging sector."

Fluker Farms has been a leading supplier of live feeder insects and reptile products for decades, while his newer venture, Soldier Fly Technologies, focuses specifically on black soldier fly production – one of the most promising insects for both animal feed and potentially human consumption due to its impressive sustainability metrics.

A Unique Perspective on an Emerging Market

Few people are as uniquely positioned as David to understand both the challenges and opportunities of insect farming for human consumption. His companies have already mastered the complexities of raising insects at commercial scale – a hurdle that many new entrants to the edible insect market struggle to overcome.

"The techniques for raising quality insects don't fundamentally change whether they're destined for reptiles or people," David notes. "What changes is the regulatory framework, processing methods, and of course, the marketing approach."

Looking to the Future

As consumer acceptance grows and regulatory frameworks mature, the edible insect industry stands poised for significant expansion. Companies with established expertise in insect farming – like David's – have the potential to play pivotal roles in this evolution.

While Soldier Fly Technologies and Fluker Farms remain focused on their core markets today, David's firsthand experience with chapulines in Puerto Vallarta serves as a reminder of how quickly our food systems are evolving, and how existing expertise can find new applications in unexpected places.

For now, David is bringing his insights from traditional insect-consuming cultures back home, adding another layer of knowledge to his already extensive understanding of these remarkable creatures – whether they end up on a reptile's menu or, increasingly, on ours.