We all know by now that we will have to change our behaviour if we are not to exhaust our planet. A more sustainable pattern of consumption is no longer an option but a necessity. And it seems that our dogs may be showing us the way and a new light is appearing on the horizon. Here's the thing.

As part of the trend towards a more sustainable consumption pattern, the number of meat substitutes for human consumption is rapidly increasing. It started for the general public with insects, which appeared in our supermarkets around 2014. However, consumers did not like them and they disappeared again around 2020. Researchers did not leave it at that and suddenly also looked at the possibilities of using insects for animal feed. And so did we. That is how we ended up with a frozen puree based on black soldier fly larvae. We are very proud that we were the first in Europe to use this high-quality raw material in FreshFrozen food! 

What makes this animal protein source so sustainable: The ecological footprint of the black soldier fly larvae is very low:

1. The puree we use is produced on the basis of local vegetable residues in the Netherlands, less than 200 km from our own production
2. The insects very efficiently convert 4.5 tons of these low-grade residual flows into 1 ton of high-grade proteins and fats.
3. The insects do not need much space to grow. To make 1 ton of insects, you only need 20m² for 2 weeks
4. Water consumption is also limited: to make 1 ton of insects, you only need 30 liters of water
5. In the end, there is no waste in the production process. All the waste from the insects can be converted into soil improver.

So what did not work for the owner may well work for the dogs. And we are not the only ones who are convinced of this. The larvae of Black Soldier Fly are particularly nutritious and have many good properties. Analyses have shown that the black soldier fly puree has the following properties

1. Rich in easily digestible proteins, healthy fats and numerous micronutrients
2. Hypoallergenic, and therefore good for dogs with food allergies
3. Rich in glucosamine, which is good for the joints

And what's more, it turns out to be very tasty. And since dogs eat primarily with their noses and stomachs, and much less with their heads (as we consumers do), it could be that dogs adopt a sustainable diet much faster than their owners. Will they show us the way?