Ask The Pet Food Pro

Tuesday, June 4, 2024 | 10 am CDT

Insect protein in pet food: Latest innovations and trends

Insect protein in pet food and pet treats keeps rising in terms of research, usage, and innovation as more production comes online, regulations catch up and new products proliferate. Join Aaron Hobbs, executive director of the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture, and Mark Finke, Ph.D., president of consultancy Mark Finke LLC, for expert insights and updates on the latest nutritional benefits, market and production status, and regulatory actions. Bring your questions about all things pet food and bugs!

You will learn about the:

Size and state of the insect protein market;
Status of regulations for usage of insect protein in pet food;
Latest research on health and nutrition benefits for cats and dogs;
Opportunities and challenges for this emerging industry.

This Ask the Pet Food Pro chat is sponsored by EnviroFlight and presented by Petfood Industry.

Registration now open.

Full Name

Mark Finke

Job Title

President

Company/Institution

Mark Finke LLC

Speaker Bio

Mark Finke, Ph.D., is a pet food and pet specialty retail consultant and president of Mark Finke LLC. His previous roles include director of merchandising technical services and director of nutrition for PetSmart, in addition to executive positions directing nutrition for pet food companies such as Alpo Petfoods, Beatrice Specialty Pet Products and Ralston Purina Co. Finke holds a bachelor and master of science in biological sciences from Wright State University and a doctorate in nutritional sciences/entomology from University of Wisconsin. He is a member of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences, Entomological Society of America and Comparative Nutrition Society.

Full Name

Aaron Hobbs

Job Title

Executive Director

Company/Institution

North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA)

Speaker Bio

Aaron Hobbs is the first full-time executive director of the North American Coalition for Insect Agriculture (NACIA). Previously, he served in numerous roles, including president of RISE, a trade association based in Washington, D.C.; director of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation; international trade economist and presidential management fellow with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service; and resource economist with USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. The mission of NACIA is to encourage positive use of farmed insects in North America. The organization is working to improve the regulatory environment, connect members with industry stakeholders and the knowledge they need to grow and inform key stakeholders about the potential for insects to provide environmentally sustainable, highly nutritious ingredients that can be produced as part of circular and regenerative agriculture.

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