This article appeared in the Summer 2016 issue of Pulse Crop News.

International Year of Pulses 2016 brings more attention to the nutrition and versatility of pulse products like those sold by several innovative Alberta companies.

“Pulses include field peas, dry beans, lentils, chickpeas, faba beans and soybeans – and many of those can be found in each Souptacular soup,” said Maureen Obrigewitch who started Souptacular with her husband, Al, in their St. Albert home more than a decade ago. “We work hard to get the message out regarding all the wonderful health benefits and the ease of cooking with pulses, and International Year of Pulses (IYP2016) is an excellent opportunity to reach even more people.”

Each month, Souptacular uses more than 500 lbs of pulses sourced from Alberta and Saskatchewan in delicious soups sold at Save-On Foods and other locations that are listed at www.souptacular.com.

Meanwhile, No Nuts Pea Butter’s new chocolate flavour in single portion packs was named the Most Innovative product at the Alberta Food Processor Association’s 2015 Alberta Food Awards. Norm and Caryll Carruthers, owners of Mountain Meadows Food Processing in Legal, see IYP2016 as a good way to keep the spotlight on their products made with brown peas and sold at a number of locations detailed at www.peabutter.ca.

“International Year of Pulses is a good opportunity to educate people about the value of pulses,” Caryll Carruthers said. “The North American population doesn’t know the value of pulses. They don’t realize peas and lentils are such a good source of protein and they are economical too.”

Kinnikinnick Foods started specializing in gluten-free foods in Edmonton about 25 years ago, and has grown to have its products sold at retail stores across North America and online at www.kinnikinnick.com.

“Kinnikinnick began using pulse fractions 20 years ago and we pioneered the use of pulse products in gluten-free foods in the early 2000s,” said company owner Jerry Bigam. “International Year of Pulses is raising the level of knowledge about the nutritional value of pulses as being one of the healthier products that enters the food chain. I think that’s the thing that’s important to know is that pulses are not empty calories – they are nutritious and grown in Alberta.”

Kinnikinnick provided a variety of products for sampling at the April 21 event at the Alberta Legislature, including cookies, waffles, doughnuts and baking mixes, which all use pulse products and some featuring pulse fractions as the major ingredient. Bigam noted that these are among the best selling items in North America in the gluten free market.