Crickets on the shelf: KRIKET launches in the Netherlands

The Belgian company KRIKET is bringing its cricket-based products to the Netherlands. Its muesli bars, protein bars and granolas, all made with cricket powder, are now available at Holland & Barrett and Bever. The insects are packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, and have an exceptionally low climate impact.

From farm to bar

Founder Michiel van Meervenne became intrigued by the potential of crickets after visiting a cricket farm in Brussels during his time as a food journalist. In 2018, he launched Belgium’s first muesli bar made with locally sourced cricket powder. Today, KRIKET sources its crickets entirely from the Netherlands. “Crickets are a true superfood, but many people are hesitant at first,” says Van Meervenne. “That’s why we chose to make them unrecognisable and use them in powdered form.”

International growth via Broccoli

Following its expansion to over 1,800 retail locations in Belgium and the Netherlands, the company is now launching a crowdfunding campaign through the investment platform Broccoli. KRIKET aims to raise €350,000 to strengthen its presence in the Benelux and expand into the UK and Germany.

The numbers speak for themselves: crickets contain 65 grams of protein per 100 grams, up to seven times more vitamin B12 than salmon, and use 214 times less water than soy. They can also be fed with food industry by-products, and 80% of the insect is edible.

Kriket.be