1,187 Fonio Grain Food Fonio is a staple food in various parts of West Africa, where it is also known as ‘acha’ or ‘fundi’, but it is also a prestige food (‘chief’s food’) and a gourmet item. In the Dominican Republic fonio flour is made into porridges and creams, mixed with other cereal flours to make cookies, and it is used in the preparation of candy and fermented beverages. 8,392