Protein from palm weevil larvae

Funded by fair equity:  2026

Legendary Foods turns the palm larva akokono into nutritious, affordable food for families in Ghana.

THE PROBLEM

In large parts of West Africa, high-quality animal protein is too expensive for low-income households. The region depends heavily on imports, which makes prices unpredictable. The result is widespread chronic malnutrition: in Ghana, around 17% of children under five are stunted.

THE SOLUTION

Legendary Foods farms the palm weevil larva, a food that has long been culturally accepted in the region, and turns it into fortified everyday products: sauces, cookies and protein powder.

In Ghana, the larva is called akokono and has been a delicacy for generations. So Legendary Foods does not have to introduce a new food. It makes a familiar one cheaper and available all year round. To do this, the company farms the larvae at industrial scale in Kumasi, on what it says is the largest palm larvae farm in Africa.

Two products are already sold nationwide: SANTAY Shito, a fortified chili sauce in which the larva replaces the usual fish or shrimp paste, and AKO Cookies, an affordable protein biscuit for children. Next, Legendary Foods is building up protein powder and fat as ingredients for the food industry.

Founder and CEO Shobhita Soor previously co-founded the insect protein company Aspire Food Group. Today, Legendary Foods employs 63 people, around two thirds of them women. And because farming larvae causes far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than beef, the protein is also the better choice for the climate.