News

International Year of Pulses

2016 has been declared the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations.

Janice Rueda, who works as a nutritionist for ADM’s value-added dry bean ingredients division, tells Brownfield there’s a lack of consumer awareness of pulse crops which include dry beans, chickpeas, dried peas and lentils.

“Legumes in particular are not widely consumed, although they’re probably one of the healthiest superfoods out there in the food supply.”

She says the global pulse community and the United Nations have come together to unify pulse agriculture, health and nutrition, and food manufacturing communities.

Rueda says several events and promotions are planned this year across the globe and online to talk about pulses from farm to table.  “What we’re hoping to show is that beans are in better for you snack foods, they’re in bakery items, even cereals, dips, etcetera.  We’re trying to push the envelope on what consumers understand about beans.”

She says consumers can join the conversation on Twitter by using #LovePulses.

AUDIO: Interview with Janice Rueda