Even better than magic beans: local beans!

Are you the type to read labels to know where your food comes from? To avoid unhealthy, ultra-processed food? These choices, simple though they may be, are an important step toward more sustainable, environmentally-responsible food. Are you ready to go even further? Let’s have a look at a small but powerful nutrient that could well become a key ally for our health and the health of our planet: Quebec-grown dried beans.

The dried bean: a superfood grown right here

Small but sturdy, the dried bean is a veritable goldmine from a nutritional standpoint. It’s rich in protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and low in fat. Eating legumes like dried beans also helps to reduce our dependence on meat protein, which is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas in our food system.

But what makes the dried bean even more interesting is that it’s grown right here in Quebec, to the tune of 4 to 5 thousand tons a year (a figure that could easily be increased!), and the dried bean crop has regenerative benefits for our agricultural soil. The issue right now is that much of Quebec’s bean crop is being exported to foreign markets.

Created in 2023, Équiterre’s Bean Project has taken on the challenge of developing the Quebec dried bean sector, with the goals of reducing the distances travelled by our food, encouraging our local farmers and improving our soil health and our food autonomy. To learn more about the benefits of these beans, click here.

If they’re so great, why don’t we see dried beans more often?

You’re probably curious as to why this Quebec superfood hasn’t yet caught on in a big way. The answer is simple: developing a local network for dried beans is no mean feat. Farmers have to see that there are stable, profitable opportunities in Quebec for local beans to help reassure them that taking on a new crop will be worth it.

The challenges facing Équiterre’s Bean Project are therefore numerous. We’re working to:

• Convince more farmers to add this crop to their agricultural practices;

• Create solid links between farmers, processors and institutions, in order to build a sustainable supply chain;

• Encourage consumers to incorporate more legumes into their diet.

Despite these challenges, Équiterre believes firmly in the potential of the dried bean sector in Quebec. And we aren’t the only ones! There are a number of agricultural, food and institutional stakeholders that have teamed up with us to transform this vision into a reality. Have a look at what they have to say in this inspiring video:

What can you do to contribute?

Équiterre is working to increase the demand for Quebec dried beans by encouraging our hospitals and other institutions to integrate dried beans into the menus of their food services, as well as by encouraging Quebecers to cook with them. Because the greater the demand for dried beans, the more enthusiastic our farmers will be to grow them!

Here are some ways that you can support this initiative:

1. Try dried beans in your recipes

Chili, soups, salads, stir fries… the possibilities are endless. By choosing local dried beans you are directly supporting Quebec producers. Try out this enchilada-style rice dish on Shop Smarter, Eat Better.

2. Learn about sustainable food and agriculture

The more you understand the issues behind your food choices, the more impactful your choices and actions can be. Équiterre’s food and agriculture program lays out the issues and solutions for producing and eating healthy, sustainable food.

3. Share what you’ve learned

Talk to those around you about the environmental and nutritional benefits of legumes. These discussions can be a powerful tool for encouraging collective change.

4. Encourage institutions to add dried beans to their menus

Many schools, hospitals and other institutional cafeterias could add dried beans to their menus. Why not suggest it to those in your area? For more information:Pourquoi s’intéresser à l’écoresponsabilité au sein d’un service alimentaire?

The road ahead is long, but the future is bright

We know that building a sector for local dried beans is a big challenge. But every little bit helps and consumers play an important role in bringing about this change. By choosing local, sustainable and healthy food and by talking about it with those around you, you’re contributing to a better future for us all.

Together, let’s empower local dried beans (our very own magic beans!) to help transform our food habits for a more sustainable Quebec, one mouthful at a time!