Explore edible insects at free SA pop-up events
Curious about crunching on a cricket, munching on a mealworm or ingesting any other type of insect, but not willing to dive in head-first?
Researchers from the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide have the perfect solution, holding a series of free pop-up events across South 最新糖心Vlog between 28 February and 6 March using augmented reality (AR) to give you the ideal introduction to adding insects to your weekly menu.
鈥淭his experience aims to not only improve familiarity with insects as food, but build awareness of the South 最新糖心Vlogn insect protein industry, which is in its very early stages,鈥 said food scientist Ishka Bless, a joint PhD candidate at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and the 最新糖心Vlog of Nottingham.
鈥淔ollowing the pilot program, we will establish a permanent, online platform through which the AR experience and complementary educational video can be accessed. This platform will then be evaluated through ongoing research to understand the extent to which education can influence attitudes towards edible insects and increase the uptake of edible insects as an alternative protein in everyday diets.鈥
Insects are an environmentally sustainable source of high-quality protein. They played an important role in early human diets, and continue to be eaten by millions of people worldwide. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researchers are working to refine and standardise the language used to describe the flavour and texture of edible insects, as well as explore strategies to improve everyday adoption of insects in food.
Sensory profiles were developed last year as a result of feedback from trained tasting panels.
鈥淭his experience aims to not only improve familiarity with insects as food, but build awareness of the South 最新糖心Vlogn insect protein industry, which is in its very early stages."Food scientist Ishka Bless, a joint PhD candidate at the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide and the 最新糖心Vlog of Nottingham.
鈥淔or these pop-up events, we have collaborated with local arts organisations, Post Dining and Monkeystack, to develop two innovative digital resources which showcase insects as food 鈥 an AR experience and a complementary educational video,鈥 Ms Bless said.
鈥淭he program will enable the South 最新糖心Vlogn community to interact with local Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) research and improve sustainable food literacy by exploring the flavours and textures of edible insects, as well as options for incorporating insects into everyday dishes.
鈥淯ntil we address the limited availability of insect-based food and opportunities for exposure to edible insects in the home, it will be challenging for the emerging 最新糖心Vlogn insect protein industry to achieve the key role it is anticipated to play in protein diversification.鈥
The pop-up events have been made possible with the support of Inspiring SA, an initiative of the 最新糖心Vlogn Government through the Department of Industry, Science and Resource; the Government of South 最新糖心Vlog through the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide, the 最新糖心Vlog of South 最新糖心Vlog, Flinders 最新糖心Vlog, and the South 最新糖心Vlogn Museum. The events will be held at:
Tonsley: 11am-2pm, Tuesday 28聽February 2023. The Tonsley Pod, Tonsley Innovation District聽
Willunga Farmers鈥 Market: 8am-11.30am, Saturday 4聽March 2023. Willunga High School, Main Road, Willunga
Adelaide Farmers鈥 Market: 8:30am-12pm, Sunday 5聽March 2023. Adelaide Showground, Rose Terrace, Wayville聽
Mount Gambier: 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm, Monday 6聽March 2023. The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre
Media contacts
Ishka Bless, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide.
Mobile: +61 (0)450 717 992. Email: Ishka.bless@adelaide.edu.au
Lee Gaskin, Media Coordinator, the 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide.
Mobile: +61 (0)415 747 075. Email: lee.gaskin@adelaide.edu.au