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This year’s social issue, personally selected by former President Clinton, is centered on the global food crisis in urban slums, affecting more than one billion people worldwide. Mohammed Ashour, McGill’s team captain, said the team’s idea was based solely on the concept of insect consumption.

It may seem unconventional at first glance, but with a little reflection, it makes perfect sense

“It may seem unconventional at first glance,” said Mr. Ashour. “But with a little reflection, it makes perfect sense.”

Mr. Ashour said according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 2.5 billion people consume insects as part of their diet and there are more than 1,400 edible species around the world.

“This was our starting point,” said Mr. Ashour. “We developed a way to formalize an already existing, highly-fragmented informal market.”

Team McGill plans to develop a manufacturing plant to grow crickets and process the insects into two edible formats. The first is to bake the crickets whole and distribute them to already existing cricket suppliers.

“We are able to grow crickets year-round,” said Mr. Ashour. “The supply is not subject to changing seasons.”

The second format is to grind the crickets into a powder and mix it with various flours to develop fortified protein-rich flour that can be sold in the market.

“It is a replacement for any staple flour product,” said Mr. Ashour. “It is a great option for those who may be a little squeamish about eating insects because it doesn’t taste like crickets.”