Justin Trudeau's $9 million bet on edible crickets runs into trouble

FIRST READING: Trudeau’s $9 million bet on edible crickets runs into trouble

The world's largest cricket factory, funded in large part by federal monies, enters extended retooling

Tristin Hopper

Published Nov 14, 2024  •  Last updated 5 days ago  •  4 minute read

Just two years after the Trudeau government put up nearly $9 million to help build the world’s largest edible cricket factory, the facility is dramatically cutting staff and production in what they say is an extended retooling.

Aspire Food Group, which cut the ribbon last year on a 150,000-square-foot edible cricket factory in London, Ont., has just laid off two thirds of its workforce and significantly cut back shifts, saying they need to make “some improvements to its manufacturing system.” 

Speaking to the trade publication AgFunderNews, Aspire CEO David Rosenberg said the company “will be running the production line four times a week instead of two shifts a day every day. We’re 150 people down to 50 and we plan on hiring back u…