Hy-Vee offers new cricket snack

Hy-Vee, local co-ops offer cricket snack in several flavors

CEDAR RAPIDS — A less conventional form of protein on grocery store shelves this October may give some shoppers the creepy-crawlies.

Gym-N-Eat Crickets has been restocked at Cedar Rapids’ Johnson Avenue Hy-Vee location, according to a social media post from the store, at 1843 Johnson Ave. NW. They’re also available on the Iowa City Hy-Vee on North Dodge Street and New Pioneer Co-ops in Iowa City, Coralville and Cedar Rapids, according to the cricket farm’s website.

The snack, raised on a small cricket farm in Ames, is available in four flavors: Smokey BBQ, Hot & Spicy, Fiesta and Dill Pickle. The half-ounce roasted cricket packages are touted for being high in protein and calcium, low-fat and a great source of calcium, iron, omega and B12 vitamins.

The alternative insect protein also offers environmental benefits. Raising crickets requires a fraction of the land, water and feed to produce the same amount of protein as traditional sources like beef, pork and poultry. Crickets are about 60 percent protein by volume.

Gym-N-Eat Crickets owner Shelby Smith, known as “Mother of Crickets,” started the business in 2018 after playing basketball at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, and coaching in Ireland. With an eye for high-quality protein, the athlete’s business also offers online shoppers cricket powder for blending, cricket protein bars in flavors like Cranberry Crumble and salted caramel, and other cricket flavors including Maple Chipotle and chili lime.

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