2016: UN International Year of Pulses

Following the International Year of Soils in 2015 and earlier years celebrating family farming and quinoa, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation has declared 2016 as International Year of Pulses.

The aim is to raise awareness of the many benefits of pulses - "nutritious seeds for a sustainable future" - and to build their position as a primary source of protein and other essential nutrients.

Here at Hodmedod we are naturally delighted at the prospect of this international year-long campaign to promote pulses, their dietary value (providing excellent nutrition and reducing the risk of disease), environmental benefits and role in delicious dishes around the world. We founded Hodmedod in 2012 with very similar aims to raise awareness of British-grown pulses and encourage their use in British kitchens.

We'll be running a series of articles highlighting aspects of pulses through the year and continuing to add to our library of recipes for pulses grown on British farms. (We like other pulses too but will leave others to promote those.)

We're kicking off the year with a Pulse Feast in our warehouse on Twelth Night, the 6th January (when beans play a central part in traditional celebrations). Look out for photos and recipes of the dishes our team members bring - we'll share them on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram feeds and post a round-up here too.

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