The value of food innovation with children: The case of ‘insect snack balls for kids’

Ilse van Lier*, Emmy van den Heuvel, Edgar van Mil, Remco C. Havermans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In the current study, we examined the value of co-creation with and for children within the context of the ideation and development of novel snack products with insects as a core ingredient. A panel of children (n = 21, M age = 9.7 years) took part in creative focus groups aimed at conceptualising flavours for insect snack balls. The three most popular concepts were further developed into prototypes. In a tasting session, with a second panel of children (n = 44, M age = 11.4 years), these prototypes were assessed and compared with three alternative snack ball flavour concepts, separately conceived by adults. Children rated the adults’ concepts significantly higher than the children's concepts in terms of flavour liking, wanting, and overall acceptance. Children exhibited neither a higher rate of correct flavour identification for the adult concepts nor were they able to recognize whether the concepts were conceived by adults or children. We conclude that food product co-creation with and for children is feasible but does not necessarily lead to more acceptable products – at least not in the context of novel foods.
Original languageEnglish
Article number105199
JournalFood Quality and Preference
Volume118
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • Children
  • Co-creation
  • Food innovation
  • Insect products
  • New product development

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The value of food innovation with children: The case of ‘insect snack balls for kids’'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this