Today, the United Nations (UN) is officially launching the International Year of Pulses 2016 (IYP) at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy.

“The International Year of Pulses will only come around once, and I am thrilled to report that we are all set to make the most of this marvellous opportunity for this amazing food that we grow,” said Allison Ammeter, Chair of the Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) and the Canadian IYP committee. “IYP will act as the catalyst for increasing both awareness and consumption of pulses in Canada, and I believe its legacy will last well beyond 2016.”

With over 800 million people suffering from acute or chronic undernourishment and a rising tide of health problems linked to poor diet, IYP aims to demonstrate the integral role these nutrient-dense foods have in global food security and nutrition. IYP will create a unique opportunity to share the good news about pulses with more consumers, and as people eat more pulses, Alberta farmers will sell more pulses.

“Pulses” are the edible dried seeds of legume crops that include dry beans, dry peas, chickpeas and lentils. This diverse group of staple foods has been cultivated by civilizations across the globe for over 10,000 years. They are high in protein, fibre, various vitamins and amino acids and are hearty crops. Pulses are part of the ‘food basket’ used by the World Food Programme in food assistance strategies.

“Pulses have great potential to help eradicate hunger, plus tackle many chronic health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes,” said Huseyin Arslan, President of the Global Pulse Confederation (GPC). “We congratulate the UN on its focus on pulses and their importance to global food security and nutrition.”

Ammeter added: “We want to encourage everyone to consume more pulses in 2016, and we hope the whole world will join us on January 6 in eating pulses. In Canada, we will be holding a Pulse Feast in Toronto on January 6, which will be part of a global live streaming event with other cities around the world.”

APG will be celebrating IYP with enhanced resources and exciting activities in addition to those planned on national and international levels. APG has created an attractive calendar with pockets that tells the story of pulses throughout the value chain, which will be available at APG’s trade show booth and other events while supplies last.