On March 21st, Simon Fraser University’s Roots Program and Beans is How hosted a half-day roundtable discussion with food service leaders from across the globe. Held at the SFU’s Burnaby Campus, the event catalysed a discussion on what is needed to inspire more #beansonthemenu in British Columbia.
This event set the stage for ensuring Good Food for All by increasing the desirability of beans as a simple, affordable solution to our global financial, health, and climate problems.
To achieve this goal, a number of stakeholders need to be involved, including food service professionals, dieticians and nutritionists who shape food policies and procurement practices and are responsible for menu development in schools, hospitals, and government cafeterias and government agencies.
The Bean Menu Challenge encourages chefs and food service managers to add more pulse-based dishes on menus globally, making beans, peas and lentils a visible and desirable food choice. The initiative highlights the unique role chefs can play in showcasing the versatility and tastiness of beans while influencing dietary trends and behaviours towards affordable, healthy, and sustainable diets.
To put #beansonthemenu in B.C., the following action points were agreed on:
-
Establish partnerships to streamline procurement and increase access to high-quality beans and pulse crops by identifying local and regional bean producers, advocating for procurement policies prioritising locally sourced beans, providing training on sustainable procurement and collaborating with agencies for funding and incentives.
-
Increase awareness and education by developing educational programs to raise awareness about beans’ benefits through educational materials, workshops and webinars, bean-focused modules in culinary schools and promotion of beans in various sectors.
Support Culinary innovation and menu modification by collaborating with chefs to develop bean-centric menu items, facilitate discussions and menu-planning sessions, provide culinary support and recipe development, conduct taste tests and gather feedback and promote bean-centric dishes through various platforms.
Get Involved
The path to a sustainable and healthy future starts with simple, impactful choices. By embracing beans and other pulses, we can support our environment, enhance nutrition, and bolster local economies. We invite you to join the movement to get #beansonthemenu in B.C.’s public sector institutions. Here’s how you can help:
-
Partners and Stakeholders: Collaborate with us to promote and support the integration of beans onto menus at homes, schools, hospitals, government cafeterias, restaurants, cafes and beyond.
-
Food Service Professionals: Start incorporating beans into your menus and share your success stories to encourage more bean and plant-based menu development.
-
Dietitians and Nutritionists: provide guidance and recommendations on the nutritional benefits of beans to influence menu and planning decisions for both consumers and food service professionals .
-
Public Sector Institutions: Review and revise your food and procurement policies to prioritise sustainable, bean-based options.
-
Consumers: Choose bean-based meals and spread the word about their benefits to friends and family.
Get in touch to learn how you can get involved, and follow us on social media to stay updated on our progress and upcoming events. Share your stories, recipes, and successes with the hashtag #beansonthemenu. Let’s get #beansonthemenu and lead the way in creating a resilient, nutritious, and eco-friendly future for everyone in British Columbia.
About Roots
Roots is a multi-year effort in British Columbia designed to strengthen the local food system by integrating more local foods into the culinary trade. Through skills development, knowledge sharing, and fostering awareness, the program empowers food service professionals to incorporate local ingredients into their operations, enhancing food security and fostering collaboration in the culinary industry.
About Beans Is How
Beans is How is an ambitious campaign mobilized by the SDG2 Advocacy Hub to double global consumption of beans (and other pulses) by 2028. The campaign amplifies the importance of beans as a solution to global financial, health, and environmental challenges while uplifting policy and academic research and galvanizing stakeholder action.
