Health, Agriculture, Environmental/Local
& Prep Tips

Health

1. Beans are an excellent nutrient source. Their impressive nutritional profile includes high fibre, low glycemic index, low sodium and low or no fat.
2. Beans give us the richest source of vegetable protein within our food supply.
3. Beans are considered one of the original functional foods.
4. The bean's mix of dietary fibre and complex starches give beans an attractively low glycemic index at 55.
5. Bean-rich meals have been shown to reduce hunger and to prolong satiety due to the effect on the blood glucose.
6. Choose high fibre, low GI carbohydrate foods such as beans to keep you energized and focused all day long.

Agriculture

1. Here in Ontario (especially around London), we have been growing white pea beans, also known as the navy bean, since the early 1900's.
2. On average, Ontario plants and harvests over 160 million lbs. of white beans per year (this amount is equal to 13, 000 full-grown, adult elephants) and well over a 100 million lbs of various coloured beans(this amount is equal to 9,000 full-grown adult elephants).
3. Not only are beans grown and harvested right here in our backyard but they are canned in Southwestern Ontario with minimal disruption to the environment.
4. The bean crop is also good for healthy soils and sustainable agriculture, and by extension, sustainable food production.
5. The bean crop reduces overall greenhouse gases by using CO2 from the air as well, it uses less non-renewable energy inputs.
6. Beans along with peas, lentils and chickpeas, are part of a broader family of legumes also referred to as Pulses.

Environmental/Local Prep Tips

1. You can find most beans in grocery stores, organic food stores and bulk food stores. They can be found in bulk, bagged or canned formats.
2. Cooked beans can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
3. Cooking a large batch of beans and freezing some of them will save you time for future recipes requiring beans (as an ingredients) including soups, casseroles and other favourite meals with beans.
4. Canned beans are very convenient as they are ready-to-use and store well in cool, dry places.