Farmer First: Meet Soy Trailblazer, Charles!

“It can be exhausting, swimming upstream like this, but we believe soy can fill the nutritional gap so many Ugandans need, and we are committed to bringing it to them.”

That’s one of the first things Charles, founder of SESACO (short for ‘serve to save company’), told us as we toured his soy processing facility in Kampala, Uganda. While not a formal partner of AgGrandize, our scouting team was privileged to explore the SESACO operation in Uganda and to see just how much grit and determination it takes to shift a culture’s perception of new foods.

“We have a major protein shortage in East Africa, and soy is packed with protein,” Charles shared as we bumped along the packed streets of Kampala. “In our culture, animal protein is prized and considered ideal, but many can’t afford it in the day-to-day. We believe soy could be a stopgap for many low-income families, ultimately helping fill out their nutritional needs.”

The thing that stood out most in Charles’ operation was his creativity.

Their marketing was creative, colorful, and fun as the team has spent years working to normalize a strange product, and in many forms: soy ice cream, milk, dehydrated powder, bread, and much more!

So here’s a shout out and a salute to those farmers and ag businesses who are willing to explore and experiment in the name of caring for their neighbors. Charles and his family sell soy products for their livelihood, of course, but it’s clearly also a passion project rooted in real values.

“We see Jesus feeding people. We see Jesus caring for people’s bodies along with their souls and spirits, so we follow Him and do likewise. I dream of an Uganda where every family has the protein and nourishment they need to thrive, so we work toward that.”

— Charles, founder of SESACO