There’s a ‘sustainable living’ storm brewing across a number of food and drink sectors, none more so than pet food where latest global numbers suggest that 30% of all intensively farmed animals are produced specifically for dog bowls.
On top of that there’s a wellness drive being conducted by concerned ‘pet parents’ who having addressed their own dietary shortfalls then took to scrutinizing the nutritional prowess and ingredient decks of their four-legged friends.
This is about the point that some knowing dog enthusiasts will point out entovegan thinking isn’t entirely new when it comes to dog food as its long known that protein-rich ‘supergrubs’ offer an enviable array of beneficial minerals and vitamins, but historically the ‘grub of choice’ has been the bitter-tasting black soldier fly, a stalwart of cattle feed. In stark contrast Conal’s Devon-based adventure centres around growing sumptuous best-in-class mealworms living off local fruit and veg biomass. In human insect-appreciating circles plump juicy mealworms are renowned for their enviable nutty twang.
The founder behind Mr Bug is one Conal Cunningham who in his own has enjoyed a very varied, some might say eclectic career which began with a short stint in the marines, before moving to London with his electric guitar, a pocket full of plectrums and a steely resolve to be the next big thing in rock. There was a little success but nothing that would have the wider music fraternity swaying to his rhythm, however it was this first foray into music that set the tone for what was to follow, namely setting up Bush Studios in Shepherd’s Bush, a leading light in its field.
“When Covid struck my wife and I decided that now was the perfect moment to escape to the countryside and live our rural dream close to where my military training had taken place. The idea of an insect farm had been niggling away for a while; however it was only when I sat in a pub with a farm-wise mate, sunk a few beers and convinced him to join my ‘grubby’ adventure that things really kicked off.”
For the record it’s worth noting that a responsibly-fostered mealworm provides more calcium than milk, more B12 than salmon, more iron than spinach and ALL 9 essential amino acids. More importantly bugs emit only 20% of the methane generated by traditional farmyard stock, whilst needing only a fraction of the feed (1kg of mealworms needs 1700g of feed Vs10,000g cattle) whilst using significantly less water (1kg of mealworms needs 10L of water Vs 22,000L for cattle).
In 2021 it was estimated that 10,000 metric tonnes of insect protein was created. In 2030 this number could top 500,000 metric tonnes.
“In its first incarnation Mr Bug’s range consists of 4 x 80g snack pouches (The Fruity One, Cheesy One, Veggie One & Nutty One) although a protein bar for hounds isn’t far away. Our debut showcase event in Interzoo was a fantastic success highlighting GB innovation! Better than that, we’ve just been accepted to apply for the Government Farming Transformation Fund, Apha has moved Mr Bug’s pet processing certificate from provisional to permanent and on the back of Interzoo (Germany) we’ve just secured our first of many meaningful listing with the South West’s Arc Pet Centres.”
Conal concludes by saying: “I suspected that we were on to something when a seed of a good idea planted itself in my head a few years ago, however I’m especially proud of the fact that in our own small way we’re supporting Devon’s rural economy by employing and supporting young people who haven’t had a proper job before, helping them develop basic, essential career skills like time-keeping personal organisation and career pride!”
Mrbug.co.uk
