EUFIC joins forces with ‘Beans Is How’ to help tackle climate, health & cost‑of‑living crisis
Last Updated : 10 February 2023As pulses are an important part of a nutritious, sustainable, as well as affordable diet, the Beans is How campaign pledges to double the global consumption of beans, peas, pulses, lentils and legumes by 2028.
This February, EUFIC joined forces with the movement: “EUFIC is delighted to join the Beans Is How coalition and contribute to their aim of doubling bean consumption by 2028. In Europe today, we’re facing simultaneous climate, health and cost-of-living crises. With the nutritional and environmental benefits they offer, beans and pulses can be a simple and affordable solution to these challenges.” said Dr Laura Fernández Celemín, Director General of EUFIC.
As an initiative of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Beans is How supports the Sustainable Development Goal number 2, that aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.
Joint engagement activities on beans & pulses
To kick-off the collaboration, EUFIC and Beans Is How organised a one-week social media campaign building up to #WorldPulsesDay on the 10th of February 2023. The aim was to raise awareness of the health and environmental benefits of eating beans and pulses and to improve consumer’s knowledge of nutritional benefits, variety, and culinary traditions. The campaign provided actionable tips on cooking and preparation of dishes containing beans and pulses.
In a first group meeting with the Beans is How coalition EUFIC had the opportunity to meet a variety of stakeholders and discuss exciting campaigns such as the #LovePulses communications campaign, funded by the Global Pulse Confederation or events like the "Pulses for a Sustainable Future" event by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Why beans?
Global pulse production has fallen from approximately five million hectares in 1968 to 3.9 million in 2007. Although in recent decades pulse production has shown an increasing trend, these crops still tend to be overlooked in many European countries. However, eating pulses has several important benefits:
- Pulses are nutritious, as they are a source of fibre, vitamins like folate, minerals like iron, and bioactive compounds like phytochemicals and antioxidants.
- Pulses are sustainable. They use one-tenth of the water for production compared to animal proteins. As pulses can fix their own nitrogen into the soil, they need less fertilisers, and in this way, they play a part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- They are affordable, and can therefore be an important asset for consumers, especially when given the right knowledge on how to prepare and eat pulses.
More information on plant-based protein content:
