About Us
The team at Planet Bugs is working to create more sustainable systems through the beneficial use of insects - as alternative feed for livestock (partially replacing fishmeal and soy meal) and as a natural fertilizer. We're building a model farm in Eugene, Oregon that takes in food waste and turns it into poultry feed and organic fertilizer. In addition, we continue to research how mealworms might break down polystyrene in a scalable way.
Potential future projects include growing insects as novel food ingredients (palm oil alternative & a dairy free high protein powder), alternative materials for cosmetics and detergents (oils), as super decomposers of our trash (e.g. polystyrene), and more…
I’ve tackled big problems before. I spent nearly 20 years revolutionizing the financial advisory industry at Financial Engines by giving all Americans access to affordable, high quality financial advice. In the past, you needed a million dollar portfolio just to get the financial help you deserved. Now, everyone, regardless of their income or wealth, can hire an advisor who will put their clients’ interest first and charge a very reasonable fee. Best of all, consumers can choose from so many great companies (e.g., Schwab, Vanguard, Betterment, Personal Capital, and, of course, Edelman Financial Engines).
I co-founded Planet Bugs to combat global plastic and food challenges. Early on, I found insects to be the answer to the drain on water and land resources while reducing carbon emissions.
In 2016 I learned about factory farming and the lengths our food system goes to feed our population. I went vegetarian for a while but realized I needed chicken and fish back in my diet. I was constantly searching for other answers to my nutrition needs. Eventually, I found insect protein and have been hooked ever since. Fast forward to 2018 and I began studying insects' ability to break down plastics, their nutrition profiles, and how we can utilize them as an alternative protein in animal feed and human food.
In 2020 Planet Bugs was born to bring the power of insects to more people. We're starting with dried mealworms as a chicken and bird snack, but looking to make bigger impacts in the feed market...