Adventures in dining: Temporary restaurant serves up bugs for a good cause

Insects could be the next big thing for the global food supply, and a pest control business will offer free lunches at a pop-up restaurant in D.C.

Wednesday to promote the idea. The so-called “Pestaurant on Pennsey” will be set up at the Occidental Grill at 1475 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, and the bait for lunchtime bargain-hunters will include grasshopper burgers, BBQ mealworms and scorpion lollipops.

The event is free and professionally trained experts will be on hand to discuss the edible pests being served and answer any pest questions from members of the public.

And, for each person who competes in a cricket-eating contest, Ehrlich will donate $20 to he DC Central Kitchen.

For anyone who is hesitant about edible insects, Ehrlich says it’s good to remember that bugs are low in fat but high in protein, B vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc.

Pestaurant on Pennsy is part of a global event hosted by the the Rentokil family of pest control companies. It’s happening in 12 countries, but D.C. is the only U.S. city to participate.

Agencies/Canadajournal