How Chef Pierre Thiam Disrupted the Western-Dominated Grain Market

Senegalese chef and entrepreneur Pierre Thiam is on a mission to break into the Western-dominated grain market with an ancient grain called fonio. He built his company, Yolele Foods, in 2017 with the intention of creating economic opportunities for farmers who grow grains like fonio, and his success could have a huge impact on African countries by alleviating poverty and hunger for millions of people. Pierre tells us about his strategy to break into a global market that obsesses over wheat, rice, corn, and soy. And so far, it's working. Yolele's packaged fonio is flying off the shelves at Whole Foods locations all across the country. For more info on our presenting sponsor, check out realvision.com/businesscasual.  Host: Nora Ali Producer: Bella Hutchins  Video Editors: McKenzie Marshall and Christie Muldoon Production, Mixing & Sound Design: Daniel Markus Music: Daniel Markus & Breakmaster Cylinder Fact Checker: Kate Brandt  Senior Producer: Katherine Milsop VP, Head of Multimedia: Sarah Singer  Full transcripts for all Business Casual episodes available at https://businesscasual.fm