Samatha Jack, Andri Van Nieuwerk, and Mathew Winter, founders of Endoki, believe that their startup is the best way to make the world a greener and better place.
Endoki is a modern, urban farming project which sells live crickets and cricket flour, an alternative, nutritious, environmentally-friendly source of food which is farmed locally in Johannesburg and has created jobs in the green sector. The Endoki dream is to integrate innovative methods of farming which are sustainable and feasible in urban landscapes, providing access for all to food that is healthy and nutritious.
Insects are some of the most protein rich and nutritious foods. In addition, farming insects has proven to be the most water-wise form of farming. The initiative seeks to open the door to pioneering research and create local employment opportunities . “South Africa imported R7.3 billion worth of food last year alone. That’s food we can be growing in our country, that’s jobs we can be creating for our people”, says Winter.
Endoki is focused on farming two particular species of cricket; the Acheta domesticus, commonly called the house cricket and Gryllus bimaculatus, also known as the two-spotted cricket.
It starts off with a simple box, a playground for crickets, where they are feed and raised. In about 6 to 8 weeks, they are usually ready for human consumption. They are then ground up into flour, and can be included in cakes, muffins, but more importantly bread, a constant food staple for South Africans.
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