SENS Foods stands as the award – winning innovative food startup and forefront provider of cricket flour food products in Europe. The company is not merely a pioneer; it is a visionary force introducing innovation into the culinary landscape, spearheading the “Novel Food” movement with a global reach. Remarkably, each spoonful of their offerings contains an impressive 75% sustainable protein, showcasing their dedication to both nutrition and sustainability. Not to boast, but their efforts have gained recognition from world-renowned athletes and influencers, including the likes of World Champion Climber Adam Ondra and Fitness Coach & Influencer Kim Komnenić. In an exclusive interview with Daniel Vach, Co-founder of Sens Food Company, we delve into the fascinating journey of Sens Food Company and explore how they’re reshaping the landscape of snack bars.
Q1. How did the idea of Sens Food Company come about, and could you share the initial challenges you faced?
Daniel Vach: Sens Food Company took root around six years ago when my co-founder, Radek Hušek, and I came across the Edible Insect book by FAO, UN. The compelling insights into edible insects piqued our interest, particularly their potential to bring about sustainable change in the food industry. Crickets need the smallest amount of feed to produce 1g of quality protein, so they are more efficient farm animals in all aspects. The concept of incorporating insects into our diets seemed unconventional, especially in the West, where there’s cultural apprehension towards it. To overcome this “yuck factor,” we decided to focus on a product for the B2C market. Our journey began with a Kickstarter campaign, where we successfully sold 5000 bars, raising $15,000. This initial success propelled Sens Food Company.
Q2. What are the primary products Sens Food Company offers, and how are insects sourced for these products?
Daniel Vach: Initially there were only protein bars, but the portfolio expanded into chips, pasta, nutbutter, shake, breakfast, whole insects and other novelties. All our products are produced according to IFS or ISO22000 certification. We are holder of organic certification CZ-BIO-003 that applies to selected products in our portfolio. Company is registered at the relevant food inspection authority and also veterinary authority. Every production batch is inspected by Hamburg Veterinary Office. Our warehouse follows HACCP practice. As mentioned, we started with two flagship products – energy and protein bars. The energy bar, enriched with cricket flour and additional fiber, serves as a well-balanced snack. On the other hand, our protein bar emphasizes delivering a high amount of quality protein. Ensuring a safe and reliable source for insects was crucial for us. Cricket protein in our bars is not produced in Europe. We chose Thailand because of the people’s extensive cricket farming know-how. We collaborate with local universities and hire those experienced in cricket farming. The country hot weather is also ideal for farming.
Q3. Could you tell us more about Sens snack bars, their flavors and their appeal to different consumer segments?
Daniel Vach: Our snack bars showcase the versatility and deliciousness of cricket protein. We offer cricket protein bars in dark chocolate with banana chocolate, caramel peanut butter and chocolate brownie flavours, serious cricket protein bars – first real nonchemical protein bar- with peanut butter cinnamon and coca sesame flavour, and pleasure cricket protein bars with pineapple coconut, dark chocolate orange and dark chocolate sour cherry flavour. Serious cricket protein bars contain 20g, cricket protein bars in dark chocolate contain 18g, and pleasure cricket protein bars 6 g of protein. All snack bars represent delicious natural treat for anytime snacking, delightful and tasty ingredients, perfect balance of proteins, fiber and carbohydrates. They are – on-the-go: convenient and handy. We crafted these bars to cater to diverse tastes, making them appealing to a broad consumer base. The protein bar, with its substantial 20g of complete protein, has particularly resonated with athletes, especially those in the cross-fit community, as a healthy and nutritious choice.
We embrace the “Me Mentality” trend by offering a diverse range of flavors which from a deep understanding of the modern consumer’s desire for unique and personalized experiences. We recognize that consumers want to stand out, and our diverse flavor profiles go beyond traditional offerings, allowing consumers to curate their snacking experience and savor moments of individuality. It’s our way of turning a simple snack into a flavorful journey of self-discovery.
Q4. With the growing emphasis on consumers being the creative centre of innovation, how does Sens Food involve its conusmers in the development and innovation of its snack bars, aligning with the “Power to the Consumer” trend in the industry?
Daniel Vach: We firmly believe in the power of our consumers, and their voices play a crucial role in shaping the innovation of our snack bars. Through social platforms and direct engagements, we invite outside perspectives into our product development processes. By allowing consumers to contribute ideas and preferences, we ensure that our snack bars are not just products but expressions of collective creativity, aligning perfectly with the “Power to the People” ethos. For example, hundreds of Adam’s Ondara fans helped us along the way, as our community of innovators.
Q5. How has the market responded to Sens Food snack bars and what plans do you have for expanding this product line?
Daniel Vach: The market response has been incredibly positive. There’s a growing interest in our snack bars, driven by a shift towards healthier and more environmentally conscious consumer choices. We see this as just the beginning of our journey. Looking ahead, our focus is on continued technological development, introducing new and innovative products, and expanding our distribution channels. Sens Foods operates throughout the EU with its own ecommerce channel. The majority of distribution partners are in the home markets Germany & Czech Republic with strong presence also in Poland and Hungary. Other markets became recently very receptive of our products & mission also. Our sales are strong in e-commerce, smaller shops with gifts or premium healthy, outdoor or sports nutrition, but the products are already starting to be available in distribution with a wider audience also. We have the best turnovers in larger cities and shopping centers.
We envision a diverse product line that not only reinforces the nutritional benefits of cricket protein but also establishes it as a flavorful and accessible choice for consumers.
Q6. What nutritional advantages does cricket protein offer compared to traditional sources, and how do you communicate these benefits to consumers?
Daniel Vach: Cricket protein is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains 70% protein, equivalent to high-end beef, along with 20% healthy fats, more omega-3 and omega-6 than salmon, and Chitin healthy fiber for enhanced gut health. It’s also rich in micronutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, B12, and more. No antibiotics in contrast to livestock farming, no super-bacteria risk. Cricket protein boasts the same amino acid profile as traditional meat, making it more digestible than plant-based protein. Communicating these benefits involves emphasizing the completeness and quality of the protein, the sustainable and eco-friendly aspects, and the positive impact on personal health.
Q7. Sens Food emphasizes sustainability. How do you implement it in your business?
Daniel Vach: For us, sustainability means changing the system. Cricket farming is a game-changer in sustainability. Compared to traditional livestock farming, it requires 2000x less water, 15x less land, 12x less feed consumption, and produces 100x fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Crickets efficiently upcycle low-value bio waste while providing high-value protein and premium fertilizer. It’s a win-win solution for addressing environmental concerns while meeting the nutritional needs of a growing population. Going beyond the ingredients, our commitment extends to the packaging itself, which is 100% home compostable. Every order is meticulously prepared with care embracing manual box stamping to minimize chemical usage, eliminated bubble wrap in favor of shred paper, and even opted for paper tape.
Q8. Can you elaborate on the human harvest approach Sens Food Company adopts for cricket farming and how it aligns with ethical practices?
Daniel Vach: Sens Food Company prioritizes the humane treatment of crickets. Maximal nutrition, minimal harm. Before harvest, they are put into a hibernation-like state, mimicking their natural sleep phase. Unlike traditional livestock, crickets have a simple central nervous system, minimizing pain perception. Their natural behavior allows them to thrive in close quarters, ensuring a more ethical and sustainable farming process.
Q9. Looking forward, what is Sens Food company’s vision for the future of cricket protein, and how do you envision its role in mainstream nutrition?
Daniel Vach: At the heart of Sens Food Company’s mission is a commitment to delivering high-quality nutrients without harming the environment. Our vision is to position cricket protein as a mainstream and sustainable choice in nutrition. We aim to lead the way in innovating cricket-based products, not just limited to bars but expanding into various culinary options. Crickets are the protein of the future according to the United Nations. Sens Food Company wants to be at the forefront of introducing cricket protein as a familiar and valued ingredient in everyday meals, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Thank you, Daniel, for sharing your insights into the innovative world of Sens Food Company and the promising future of cricket protein. It’s clear that you’re not just providing nutrition; you’re leading a movement towards sustainable and conscious eating. Best wishes on your journey!
Are you interested in ordering some sustainable and nutritive bars? Visit https://eatsens.com/ and enjoy!
