Edible insects | Compton company provides alternative, sustainable protein

Gillian Spence, owner of Rainbow Mealworms in Compton, holds a Madagascar hissing roach that she says is cooked and consumed as a party food by people in the Vietnamese and Mexican communities.

Almost an entire block of former houses on Spruce Street in Compton is now a suburban “farm” where family-owned Rainbow Mealworms raises insects for human consumption.

Arturo Rodriguez feeds carrots to “Golden Giants” mealworms being grown as food for humans at Rainbow Mealworms in Compton.

Black and gold “Superworm” brand mealworms are a premium product developed and grown here at Rainbow Mealworms in Compton.

Mario Lozano fills a tray with 1-inch-long golden mealworms that will soon be shipped live to customers who use them as food.

Foreman David Diaz prepares to ship mealworms live from Rainbow Mealworms in Compton. Customers in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Ricto and the U.S. Virgin Islands are among those who eat the creatures as food.