A new product called the LIVIN Farms Hive allows users to breed, harvest and eat their own insects, according to Engadget. The product is designed to breed mealworm beetles (Tenebrio molitor) and features fans and sensors that reduce smell and control its climate. Furthermore, the worms can be discarded at any time or used as compost, making them easy to recycle.
Mealworms are considered to be a super food - with a similar protein content to red meat and many of the same healthy amino acids as tofu, they offer numerous vitamins and enzymes that are beneficial to your health. With an average week's harvest weighing in at 200 to 500 grams, the hive can net you approximately four to five dishes of food a week.
"I was dreaming that I could impact how people look at producing, processing and eating their food," said Katharina Unger, designer of the product. "Food culture is all about cultural associations."
Unger points to sushi and lobster as examples of foods that used to face prejudice in the past, like mealworms do now, but now enjoy popularity and mainstream success, according to Dezeen.
The LIVIN Farms Hive is currently being funded through a Kickstarter campaign and at the time of writing has currently raised approximately $40,000 of its $100,000 goal. The product is estimated to begin shipping in November 2016, according to Gizmag.
