It all started with a simple question, “Is it time we started cutting back the amount of meat we consume and switch to an environmentally sustainable option that still provides us with the nutrients we need?” We knew if we were having this conversation, it was likely others were too. Was it possible for this to be something we could help with? We thought we could. Conducting research led us to mealworms, and the rest (as they say) is history!
Ento U.P Ltd is expanding at a rapid rate, increasing the number of mealworms we produce as well as the number of different products we can sell. These range from live mealworms to snacks for human consumption snacks. The former is used to feed wild birds or domestic poultry as organic feed or used to feed reptiles and bats, amongst other wildlife. They can even be used as wildlife bait! Ento UP also grows and sells its own organic fertiliser, which is basically mealworm poo! (We call it frass). So nearly nothing gets wasted!
We love the fact we have nearly zero waste and can grow sustainable protein using solar power. We have won awards for sustainability and also an Innovate UK competition to explore the uses of mealworm exoskeletons.
Here is an infographic on how it all works:
We have worked hard to grow the farm and the business! The bigger we get, the more good we can do. We have chased grants fairly successfully. The Innovate UK funding was really helpful, and we have piled in our money as well!
One of the next things on the shopping list is a mealworm sorting machine, amongst some other machinery. They cost just over £10K each! We are confident we can get some grants to support this. But we also need your help to make it a reality. Simply sharing it within your community is already a great help, and if you can support our great ambition financially, even better.
Join us on our long journey where food scarcity and food security are worries of the past!