These locally grown beans are a great step towards more environmentally sustainable diets within the UK. With beans generally being low in emissions, particularly compared to meat, but even more so now they are locally available, reducing their food miles. Having new varieties of beans, is also very beneficial for your own health. By increasing the variety of beans and pulses in our diets we are introducing more nutrients into our diets.

These beans will contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals, important for many bodily functions and maintaining health. They will also contain a lot of fibre, which you don’t really find in meat products, this increased fibre is extremely beneficial for our health, reducing the risk of many diseases, like cardiovascular disease. Having a variety of beans in our diet will increase the variety of proteins in our diet.

This is particularly important when individuals are consuming a plant-based diet. Different beans will have different proteins in them, and unlike meat, individual beans do not contain every single essential protein we need for our diets. But by consuming a wide variety of beans and pulses, it is possible to get all of these essential proteins quite easily. This is important for maintaining muscle mass and brain function, particularly in children and the elderly. So, having new varieties available locally, will aid with consuming a mix of proteins.

You may be feeling unsure about how to cook with these beans. Not to worry, stick to your favourite meals and swap some of the meat for beans or pulses. Fancy a shepherd’s pie? Cut the mince in half and replace it with some lentils. Cooking a curry? Add in a tin of beans. Or get creative and blend some beans with garlic and seasonings for a creamy pasta sauce. The key is to have fun experimenting with dishes you already know.