Edible insects, in the form of crunchy crickets, will be available in all 23 Abokado stores across London from Tuesday 14th May as part of the company's new Spring menu.

The whole crickets from Eat Grub will be available as part of the brand's unique customisable range of toppings for customers purchasing all salads, poke bowls and hotpots.

The sweet chilli and lime crunchy roasted crickets will complement the rest of the new Spring dishes such as the 'Nutritious Noodles' salad range, which includes Katsu, Miso Chicken & Cali crab, together with the 'Superbox' salads and healthy all day grazing pots.

The insects will also be available in grab packets, along with the brand's current range of impulse snacks such as nuts, edamame, popcorn and Popchips.

Abokado will also be offering grub samplings in store and as part of local street marketing, to introduce both new and existing customers to Eat Grub across London.

The company said it had made the decision to stock the insects as an innovative new product, which is both nutritious and environmentally-friendly, in line with its own core values.

Abokado's managing director Kara Alderin, a newly converted fan of edible insects, said: “Abokado is all about customisation and offering our customers variety of different options to enhance their meals. We currently have around 12 unique toppings and dressings on offer, and this is an exciting addition to the range.

“Quirky maybe, but packed with flavour and protein, these little crickets are the way forward in healthy, sustainable snacking. Abokado has always prided itself on paving the way with new ideas and this is a natural step in our innovation.

Eat Grub's co-founder Shami Radia first discovered roasted termites while working for a water charity in Malawi. the excitement of a whole community gathering termites at the beginning of rainy season and their superb taste was enough to convince him that introducing edible insects in the UK was worth a go. And so Eat Grub began its journey in 2014.

Shami said: “It's great to have Abokado supporting us in spreading the grub love, the fun way they approach food and innovation is exactly what we need to make the eating of insects more mainstream.”

Eaten worldwide by around two billion people, insects are a significantly more environmentally friendly source of protein as their farming uses only a fraction of the land, water and feed required for traditional livestock. Insects are also estimated to release 80% less methane than cows.

As well as being delicious (namechecked as a delicacy by Aristotle), edible insects deliver considerable health benefits. They are complete protein, contain all nine essential amino acids and include important minerals like iron and calcium. They're great for gut health too.

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Notes to Editors

• For interviews and images please contact Yvonne Winborn on 07970 286115.
• Abokado is a leading operator in the healthy food sector with 23 stores currently across London. It was founded in 2004 by husband and wife team Mark and Lindsay Lilley, with a mission to help people lead happier and healthier lives. The business employs over 200 people and offers a menu of sushi, salads, hot pots, breakfast and crafted coffee all of which are freshly prepared in-store. The company has ambitious growth plans to achieve its vision of making its Feel Great Food accessible to more people across the UK. abokado.com

About Eat Grub

Eat Grub is a boundary-breaking sustainable food brand that aims to revolutionise Western food culture by introducing insects as a staple part of it. Founded by friends Shami Radia and Neil Whippey in 2014, their aim is for the UK to join the two billion people already enjoying eating insects worldwide.

Insects are consumed not only for their great taste but also their health and environmental credentials. Products from this rapidly growing food start-up can now be found in over 700 stores across Europe including Sainsbury's in the UK. www.eatgrub.co.uk