# Edible Bug-Growing Machines The Fly Factory Helps to Grow Insects for Eating Bugs By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2014-05-14 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eating-bugs References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2014/05/04/fly-factory-breeds-insects-for-human-consumption-and-produces-no-waste/) & [behance.net](https://www.behance.net/buibjarmar) Inspired by a report from the [United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultivated-meat), Icelandic product design student Búi Bjarmar Aðalsteinsson thought up the Fly Factory, a machine that would produce a much more [sustainable source of protein](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minced-fungi-protein) than animal-harvested meat. [Eating insects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cricket-jerky) is the norm in many places all over the world, but it's an untapped protein source in some others, like the West. With the Fly Factory, people would be able to cultivate the larvae of the black soldier fly. This particular fly doesn't have a mouth and doesn't seek food in its short life, so it's considered one of the more sanitary flies out there. From the Fly Factory, Aðalsteinsson was able to successfully produce a pâté and a pudding from the larvae, which could prove to make eating insects more palatable to Westerners. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Edible Insect Consumption:** The Fly Factory offers a sustainable solution to the growing trend of edible insect consumption. - **Alternative Protein Sources:** The Fly Factory presents an opportunity for the alternative protein industry to explore new, sustainable sources of food. - **Food-producing Machines:** The Fly Factory is a part of the growing trend of food-producing machines that offer efficient and sustainable food production. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Food Technology:** Food technology companies can explore new ways of producing alternative sources of protein using machines like the Fly Factory. - **Sustainability:** The Fly Factory presents an opportunity for sustainability-focused companies to explore new sources of food that have a lower environmental impact. - **Agriculture:** Agricultural companies can explore the option of adding edible insect farming using machines like the Fly Factory as a new line of business. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Insect Protein-Fed Trout](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/finnish-brands.md) - [Savory Insect Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/savory-insect-snack.md) - [Insect-Targeted Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seedballs.md) - [Edible Insect Lollipops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pest-infested-pops.md) - [Insect-Based Inflight Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zipair.md) - [Insect Protein Dog Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/insect-protein-dog-treats.md) - [Alternative Protein Dog Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-dog-treats.md) - [Future-Ready Pet Foods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmopet.md) - [Protein-Packed Cricket Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cricket-protein-bar.md)