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Insects in the world around us:

A Celebration of Insects in, Food, Art, and Human Culture

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Undergraduate Entomology Society (UES), in collaboration with Slow Food UW and the Mission to Improve Global Health Through Innovation (MIGHTi), invite you to Swarm-to-Table 2024!

This event includes: 

  • Expo space featuring 

    • Insect agriculture industry members​

    • Interactive activities

    • UW departments and organizations

    • Live insects

    • And much more!

  • Gourmet insect tasting menu by chef Andrew Jack 

  • Art gallery showcasing insect positive artwork by creators in our community 

  • Micro-presentations by experts in the field 

  • Raffles

  • Insect Trivia​​

  • Prizes for best arthropod-inspired attire 

​​

Pastry with real scorpion

Why Eat BUgs?

Why eat bugs?
cheese dish with clover leaves and sago worm pupae

Well, for starters, they can be delicious. Worldwide, thousands of species of insects contribute to human diets, and many are prized as delicacies. For creative cooks, the vast biodiversity of insects offers a palette of unique flavors, unmatched in breadth throughout the animal kingdom. 

 

As the global population increases and climate change intensifies, it is essential that we develop creative, sustainable, and resilient strategies for agriculture and food security. Compared to conventional livestock, insect agriculture typically requires less land, feed, and freshwater inputs to produce a comparable amount of nutritious food. Some insects are adept recyclers, capable of turning inedible waste into something nutritious and digestible. Growing insects for human consumption and animal feed promises to be a part of developing equitable and sustainable food systems in the future.


Swarm-to-Table invites the curious public to explore insect agriculture and cuisine. Join us in celebrating the role of insects in human health, sustainable agriculture, and existing food and artistic culture.

Processing insect protein
Events

APRIL 13, 2024
2:00-5:00 pm

SWARM TO TABLE 2024

Giant water bugs and grapefruit suspended in a drink
Students preparing plates
Giant water bugs surrounding a halved grapefruit

Photos Courtesy of Chef Andrew Jack

2:00- 5:00 PM

April 13, 2024

The Crossing

1127 University Ave,

Madison, WI 53715

(corner of University and Charter)

Made possible by our sponsors. A complete list can be found at the bottom of the page.

Expo 

     Meander our expo space to learn about insect agriculture first hand from members of this up-and-coming industry, partake in insect themed, hands on activities, explore a multitude of applicable departments and initiatives here at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and much more!

Stage

Sit back and relax while tuning in on a variety of micro-presentations given by experts in the field, or come in and join the fun by participating in interactive activities! Feel free to bring any accessories that may help you showcase your talents and love for insects during our open mic session.

 

  • 2:20- 2:45 pm: Micro-presentation 

  • 2:50-3:05 pm: Micro-presentation 

  • 3:05-3:15 pm: Costume Contest 

  • 3:15-3:45 pm: Insect Trivia

  • 3:50-4:05 pm: Micro-presentation

  • 4:10-4:25 pm: DIY Bee Hive Demonstration

  • 4:30 pm: Open Mic

Art Gallery

Our gallery space will showcase insect positive artwork by creators in our community. Local artists have an opportunity to display and/or sell their work. If you are an artist and would like to be involved, click below.

Food

To tie everything together, we are once again working with the talented chef Andrew Jack to curate a gourmet insect based tasting menu. This multi-coursed menu will be cooked in house with the help of the Slow Food UW team and distributed throughout the event. It will include crickets, mealworms, water bugs, ants, and more!

Dress for a night out, keeping in mind that prizes will be awarded for the best bug themed attire... don't hold back!

$15 per guest

***People with crustacean 

allergies are at an increased risk of experiencing an adverse reaction

to insects***

All profits will be donated to nonprofits to further insect agriculture, food insecurity, and insect biodiversity. 
Lino block prints of two coccinellids and a flower

art by: Ava Schassler

Presenters

Try something new by tasting gourmet small bites incorporating insect ingredients crafted by our talented professional chefs and Slow Food UW volunteers.

menu and food by

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Chef Andy Jack

  • Instagram

Experimental cook and private chef.

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Chef Kyle Kiepert

  • Instagram

Gourmet and creative chef based in Spring Green and Madison, WI.

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Slow Food UW

  • Instagram

Nonprofit, student-led organization that brings good, clean, and fair food to the UW-Madison community.

talks by

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Kathy McGrath

Retired schoolteacher and monarch butterfly enthusiast. Helped establish Port Edwards, WI, as a renowned monarch community by raising both monarchs themselves and awareness on the significance of their conservation and habitat restoration efforts.

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Integrated Pest Management Institute of North America

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. Aims to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

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Ella DeRosier

UES member and UW Global Health major with a passion for entomology and advocation of pollinators native to WI.  Considers different types of pollinators and why they are crucial to a healthy ecosystem (and the potential benefit of fostering them within diverse food systems). 

an event like no other...

Photos by Julia Wiessing & Madelyn Anderson

Special Thanks to 

Our Partners & Donors:

Partner
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