Mario, who just recently finished his thesis while being a working student in the ID team at FLUID, introduced the topic of eating insects to the whole team during a FLUID lunch talk. Enjoy the exciting information he gave us about the extraordinary topic of his work.
"The way we humans live on earth is sending it into a decline.”
This is how David Attenborough (2020) sums up the most pressing problem of our time: Climate Change. But he also says, if we act now, we can yet make it right.
One of the biggest problems is the food industry itself. The food system is broken and causes huge problems on our planet and for people. We have to rethink what we eat and how we produce it. Edible insects are one of the great alternative food sources as they use fewer resources, help ensure nutritious food and food security.
Therefore, Mario embarked on a journey to introduce edible insects to Europe, where they are not yet recognized and considered as a food source.
So how can we change consumer attitudes and behaviour towards edible insects?
This is the first and one of the most important steps to actually create a systemic change. Otherwise, we only create an illusion of change.
The project itself challenges the way we look at what we see as food, so that as a society we can move towards not just relying on a limited number of food sources, but diversifying our diet to create a more sustainable future.
In addition to user testing and ideation workshops, other creative methods were used to refine the findings from the research phase and develop the best solution to the problem.
The result of the project was the brand HOPPER!
Hopper is a brand with the main objective to offer products and services around edible insects to diversify consumers' eating habits and create a positive and sustainable impact on our food system.
Its visual identity is focusing on a more premium and special direction to bring the beauty of insects to the foreground. On the way to achieve its main goal, HOPPER’s first product, the “Culinary Taste Experience Box” was developed.
"The Culinary Taste Experience Box" is a solution which focuses on creating awareness and desire for edible insects, by introducing them in a special and exciting way. By doing so, HOPPER is trying to change consumers' mindsets on how we think about this food source.
This is the first and most important part of the journey to reach the goal of diversifying the diet of many people. It consists of a service, a guided cooking and tasting experience and several products.
HOPPER offers products and services around edible insects to diversify consumers' eating habits and create a positive and sustainable impact on our food system.
Its visual identity is focusing on a more premium and special direction to bring the beauty of insects to the foreground.
A solution which focuses on creating awareness and desire for edible insects, by introducing them in a special and exciting way.
If you'd like to hear more about HOPPER and its first products, the process behind or you are up for a chat - reach out!
