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The Future of Food

By 2050, there could be nearly 10 billion people on our planet! Scientists say we’ll need to find new ways to feed everyone. Scroll down to read to read about two surprising foods that may end up on your dinner plate.

Shutterstock.com (Teen); Brain light/Alamy Stock Photo (Insect Sandwich)

Would You Eat Bugs?

Why grasshoppers and other creepy-crawly critters may be the future of food  

 Shutterstock.com 

October 2022
by Mary Kate Frank

Stephen Brashear/Getty

    Baseball stadiums are famous for their snacks. Fans love to cheer on their favorite teams while chowing down. They feast on hot dogs, Cracker Jack, and . . . toasted grasshoppers?

    Yes, you read that right. Grasshoppers are one of the most popular foods at T-Mobile Park. That’s the home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. People line up to pay $5 for a cup of the crunchy critters.

    Don’t worry. The bugs aren’t alive. By the time they get to the ballpark, the insects have been cleaned and boiled. They’re toasted and sprinkled with spices and lime juice. People say they taste salty. Fans pop the insects into their mouths like peanuts.

    The grasshoppers have even sold out before the first pitch is thrown!

    Baseball stadiums sell many snacks. Fans eat them as they cheer on their favorite teams. They feast on hot dogs, Cracker Jack, and . . . toasted grasshoppers? 

    Yes! That’s right. Grasshoppers are a popular snack at T-Mobile Park. That’s the home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. People pay $5 for a cup of the crunchy critters.

    Don’t worry. The bugs aren’t alive. Before they get to the ballpark, they’re cleaned and boiled. Then they’re toasted. They’re sprinkled with spices and lime juice. People say they taste salty. Fans eat them like peanuts.

    This treat has even sold out before the first pitch is thrown!

    Baseball stadiums are famous for their snacks. Fans love to cheer on their favorite teams while feasting on hot dogs, Cracker Jack, and . . . toasted grasshoppers? 

    Yep, you read that correctly. Grasshoppers are one of the most popular foods at T-Mobile Park, the home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. People attending games line up to pay $5 for a cup of the crunchy critters.

    Don’t worry—the bugs aren’t alive. By the time they get to the ballpark, the insects have been cleaned and boiled. They’re toasted and sprinkled with spices and lime juice. People describe the treat as tasting salty, and fans pop the insects into their mouths like peanuts.

    The grasshoppers have even sold out before the first pitch is thrown!

Yuck or Yum?

    Eating crickets, caterpillars, and bees might sound strange to you. But it is normal in many parts of the world. Billions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America dine on bugs. 

    Some people grill or fry these insects. Others prefer them live. Fancy restaurants serve special bug dishes, like buttery ant eggs in tortillas.

    There are good reasons that people pile their plates with creepy-crawly critters. Insects are cheap and plentiful. They’re also healthy. Many bugs are high in protein and vitamins. 

    A serving of mealworms has more protein than a serving of salmon!

    Eating bugs might sound strange to you. But it’s normal in many parts of the world. Billions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America eat insects. 

    Some people grill or fry them. Others eat them live. Fancy restaurants serve special bug dishes. One dish is buttery ant eggs in tortillas.

    There are many reasons to eat bugs. They are cheap and plentiful. They’re also healthy to eat. Many bugs are high in protein and vitamins. A serving of mealworms has more protein than a serving of salmon!

    Eating crickets, caterpillars, and bees might sound strange to you, but it’s normal in many parts of the world. Billions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America dine on insects. 

    Some people grill or fry these bugs, while others prefer them live. Fancy restaurants serve special bug dishes, such as buttery ant eggs in tortillas.

    People have good reasons for piling their plates with creepy-crawly critters. Insects are cheap and plentiful—and they’re healthy too. Many bugs are high in protein and vitamins. A serving of mealworms contains more protein than a serving of salmon!

Kidsada Manchinda/Alamy Stock Photo

Eat Up!  
Fried insects and worms are sold on the street in Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia.

Bug Benefits

    In the U.S., we think of bugs as pests—not dinner. But scientists say that may change soon. In the future, we’ll need more food sources because there will be more people. Earth’s population is expected to grow by about 2 billion people in the next 30 years. 

    At the same time, climate change could damage our food supply. Heat waves, floods, or droughts can make it harder for farmers to grow vegetables, grains, and fruit.

    Think of it this way: A field of corn takes at least two months to grow. It can be wiped out by bad weather. 

    But insects multiply and grow fast. Some insects can even lay thousands of eggs at a time. These new insects can reach adulthood in a matter of days.

    Also, eating bugs is more sustainable than raising cattle, pigs, and other animals. Bugs require less land, water, and food. Farming bugs creates less waste because people eat most or all of the insect. We eat only certain parts of other animals.

    In the U.S., we think of bugs as pests—not food. But scientists say that may change soon. In the future, there will be more people. Thirty years from now, Earth’s population might have grown by 2 billion people. To feed everyone, we’ll need more food sources. 

    Plus, climate change could damage our food supply. Heat waves can make it harder to grow vegetables, grains, and fruit. Floods and droughts make it harder too.

    Corn takes at least two months to grow. It can be wiped out by bad weather. But bugs multiply and grow fast. Some lay thousands of eggs at a time. The new bugs can be full-grown in days.

    Also, eating bugs is more sustainable than raising cattle and other animals. Bugs need less land. They also require less water and food. And farming bugs creates less waste. That’s because people eat most or all of the insect. We eat only parts of other animals.

    In the U.S., we think of bugs as pests, not dinner—but scientists say that may soon change. In the future, we’ll need additional food sources because there will be more people. In just the next 30 years, Earth’s population is expected to grow by about 2 billion people. 

    At the same time, climate change could damage our food supply. Heat waves, floods, or droughts can make it difficult for farmers to grow vegetables, grains, and fruit.

    Think of it this way: A field of corn takes at least two months to grow, and it can be wiped out by bad weather pretty quickly. 

    In contrast, insects multiply and grow fast, and some can even lay thousands of eggs at a time. In a matter of days, these new insects can reach adulthood.

    Furthermore, eating bugs is more sustainable than raising cattle, pigs, and other animals because bugs require less land, water, and food. Farming bugs also creates less waste because people eat most or all of the insect. With other animals, we eat only certain parts.

Getting Past the Ick Factor

Shutterstock.com

    Does this mean you’ll soon gobble up a bowl of mealworm macaroni? Probably not. Experts know it may be a while before most Americans accept bugs as food. So food companies are starting with products that don’t look like bugs. 

    Cricket flour is sold at many grocery stores. It can be used to make pancakes, cookies, and other baked goods. 

    But if you’re feeling brave, try some dried insects. They can be bought online. Who knows? Beetles might be your new favorite snack! 

    Will you be eating mealworm macaroni soon? Not likely. Experts say it may be a while before most Americans want to eat bugs. So food companies are making products that don’t look like bugs. 

    Grocery stores sell cricket flour. You can make pancakes with it. You can make cookies and other baked goods too. 

    Feeling brave? Try some dried bugs. You can buy them online. Who knows? They might be your new favorite snack! 

    Does this mean you’ll soon gobble up a bowl of mealworm macaroni? Probably not. Experts understand that most Americans probably won’t accept bugs as food for a while. So food companies are starting with products that don’t look like bugs. 

    Cricket flour—which can be used to make pancakes, cookies, and other baked goods—is sold at many grocery stores. 

    But if you’re feeling adventurous, try some dried insects. They’re sold online. You never know—beetles might turn out to be your new favorite snack! •

Would You Eat Algae?

Why seaweed and other slippery, slimy sea veggies may be the future of food 

October 2022
by Mary Kate Frank

Shutterstock.com

    Back in the 1600s, many people refused to eat lobster. The sea creatures washed ashore in piles in what is now Maine. They were considered gross. Lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” People in prison were fed lobster because no one wanted it. 

    Fast-forward to today. Lobster is now a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration every year. It draws thousands of hungry fans. A whole lobster—complete with tail and claws—can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists are hoping so. In the future, your go-to meal might be green, slippery, and a little slimy. We’re talking about algae!

    In the 1600s, many people would not eat lobster. The sea creatures washed onto the shores of what is now Maine. People thought they were gross. Lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” It was fed to people in prison because no one wanted it. 

    Today, lobster is a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration every year. Thousands of people go. A whole lobster can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists hope so. In the future, your favorite food might be green, slippery, and a little slimy. We’re talking about algae!

    Back in the 1600s, many people refused to eat lobster. The sea creatures washed ashore in piles in what is now Maine. They were considered gross, and lobster was nicknamed “the poor man’s protein.” No one wanted it, so it was fed to people in prison. 

    Fast-forward to today. Lobster is now a fancy food. Maine holds a lobster celebration that draws thousands of hungry fans every year. A whole lobster—complete with tail and claws—can cost $150 or more.

    Could another weird-looking food from the sea become popular? 

    Some scientists are hoping it will. In the future, your go-to meal might be green, slippery, and a little bit slimy. We’re talking about algae!

Jose Javier Ballester legua/Getty Images 

YUM!  
Most sushi rolls are wrapped with dried seaweed.

Seaweed Snacks

Shutterstock.com

    What is algae? The word refers to a large group of plant-like organisms. They’re found in bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe for humans to eat. Seaweed is one of the most popular. People in Asia have eaten it for centuries. 

    If you’ve ever tried sushi rolls, you’ve probably eaten seaweed too. Dried seaweed is used to wrap these rolls. Many people enjoy bright-green seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

    Algae are plant-like organisms. They’re found in oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe to eat. Seaweed is one type. People in Asia have eaten it for centuries.     

    If you’ve eaten sushi rolls, you’ve probably eaten seaweed. The rolls are wrapped in dried seaweed. Many people enjoy seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

    What is algae? The word refers to a large group of plant-like organisms that are found in bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and lakes.

    Many types of algae are safe for humans to eat. Seaweed, one of the most popular, has been eaten by people in Asia for centuries. 

    Have you tried sushi rolls? Then you’ve probably eaten seaweed, because dried seaweed is used to wrap the rolls. Many people enjoy bright-green seaweed salads. Seaweed is also used in soups, stir-fries, and even ice cream!

The New Superfood

    Algae is often called a “superfood.” That’s because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types of algae are also loaded with protein. That’s important. As the world’s population grows, scientists say we’ll need to find new protein sources. 

    Farming algae is also better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, about 70 percent of the planet’s available fresh water is used to grow our food. But algae doesn’t need fresh water to grow. It can grow in salt water, like the ocean.

    Algae is often called a “superfood.” That’s because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types are high in protein too. That’s important. As the world’s population grows, scientists say we’ll need new sources of protein. 

    Farming algae is better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, we use about 70 percent of the planet’s fresh water to grow our food. But algae doesn’t need fresh water to grow. It can grow in salt water, like the ocean.

    Algae is often called a “superfood” because it’s full of vitamins and minerals. Some types of algae are also loaded with protein, which is important. As the world’s population increases, scientists say we’ll need to find new protein sources. 

    Farming algae is also better for the environment than other types of farming. Right now, about 70 percent of Earth’s available fresh water is used to grow our food. But algae can grow in salt water (like the ocean) and doesn’t require fresh water.

Good, Not Gross

    But what does algae taste like? That depends on which kind you are eating. Some algae have a salty flavor, like the ocean. Other types taste like grass. There is even a kind of algae that people say reminds them of bacon! 

     “Most people think algae is going to be gross. But it’s not,” says scientist Rebecca White. She is working to educate people about the benefits of algae. She suggests trying a food with algae in it to judge for yourself.

    Algae products are already sold at some grocery stores. You can buy seaweed chips, kelp noodles, or algae protein powder. But will eating algae ever become truly popular?

    Maybe. Instead of eating at Red Lobster, you may one day find yourself chowing down at a restaurant called Green Algae! 

    What does algae taste like? Some algae taste salty. Other types taste like grass. One type reminds people of bacon! 

    “Most people think algae is going to be gross. But it’s not,” says scientist Rebecca White. She wants people to know about the benefits of algae. She suggests trying a food with algae in it. Then you can decide if you like it.

    Some grocery stores already sell algae products. You can buy seaweed chips. You can buy kelp noodles and algae protein powder. But will eating algae ever be truly popular?

    Maybe. Instead of Red Lobster, you might prefer a restaurant called Green Algae! •

    But what does algae taste like? It depends on which kind you’re eating. Some have a salty flavor, like the ocean, while others taste like grass. There’s even a type of algae that reminds people of bacon! 

    “Most people think algae is going to be gross. But it’s not,” says Rebecca White, a scientist who is working to educate people about the benefits of algae. She suggests you judge for yourself by sampling a food that contains algae.

    Algae products, such as seaweed chips, are already available at some grocery stores. You can also buy kelp noodles and algae protein powder. But will eating algae ever become truly popular?

    It’s possible. Instead of eating at Red Lobster, you might one day find yourself chowing down at a restaurant called Green Algae! 

Shutterstock.com

Floating Farm 
Some countries in Asia already grow seaweed for food.

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