Akissi Stokes-Nelson
Akissi Stokes-Nelson builds resilient food systems while restoring the environment. Insects are her unlikely partners.
The devastation of the 2010 Haiti earthquake and a childhood spent on her grandfather’s farm moved Akissi to start WUNDERgrubs, a manufacturer of edible insects for humans, and feed for animals and plants using sustainable farming methods.
Akissi’s pioneering efforts resulted in Georgia’s first manufacturing guidelines for human edible grubs. Subsequently, WUNDERgrubs successfully debuted a nutrient-dense grub-based flour and chocolate chip cookie during the pandemic. WUNDERgrub’s test lab at the Atlanta Beltline regularly attracts those interested in learning about equitable food systems with insect protein at the core.
Akissi holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Emory University and serves on the board of the Global Growers Network.
"Without experimentation, a willingness to ask questions and try new things, we shall surely become static, repetitive, and moribund."
— Anthony Bourdain