.@UN World Food Day Oc16 // Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too // #WFD2016 #LovePulses #IYP2017

 

Six days after thanksgiving is actually the biggest food day on the planet.

 

Chef Michael Smith is asking Canadians to support UN designated World Food Day on October 16^th by cooking Canadian grown pulses.  This year’s World Food Day theme is “Climate is changing. Food and agriculture must too.” Peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas are good for your health and the health of the planet. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) celebrates World Food Day each year on October 16th to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.

“Every Canadian family can contribute to the future of sustainable food production simply by eating pulses,” says Michael Smith, who has served as Canada’s International Year of Pulses ambassador. “ 

Canada, the world’s largest producer and exporter of dry peas and lentils and a major supplier of pulses to over 150 countries around the world, plays an important role in sustainable food production. Canada’s pulse industry is having a banner year in production. 

More Background: 

BIO:  PEI’s Chef Michael Smith from Food Network: http://chefmichaelsmith.com/michael/

In addition to being good for the planet, pulses are a low-fat source of protein, fibre and many vitamins and minerals.  Pulses are an affordable part of a healthy diet and play an important role in the management of diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. More information about pulses can be found at www.pulses.org.

The global population is growing steadily and is expected to reach 9.6 billion by 2050. To meet such a heavy demand, agriculture and food systems will need to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and become more resilient, productive and sustainable, states the FAO.

The FAO has specifically cited pulses as one way we can reduce our environmental footprint and make a difference. Pulses have a low carbon footprint and improve the energy-use efficiency of the entire cropping system. Pulses are also a water-efficient source of protein and improve soil health by improving the soil’s microbiology.

Pulses and Environmental Sustainability Facts

·    According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the production of food has the largest environmental impact of any human activity.

·    Pulses are among a small group of food crops that draw their own nitrogen from the air we breathe. As a result, pulses require less commercial nitrogen fertilizer than other crops.

·    Pulses are able to do this through a symbiotic relationship between the nitrogen fixing soil bacteria and the legume root.  

·    Pulses are efficient users of water. They require only ½ to 1/10 the water needed to produce other sources of protein. Many pulses are adapted to dry environments making them well suited to dry environments such as the Canadian Prairies.

·    Growing pulses in rotation with other crops like wheat and canola enables the soil to support larger, more diverse populations of soil organisms that help maintain and increase soil fertility.

Pulses are in the spotlight in 2016 as the world celebrates International Year of Pulses. The United Nations declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (IYP) to celebrate pulses’ contribution to health, nutrition and environmental sustainability. IYP will demonstrate the contribution pulses can make toward global food security and helping the UN implement its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 #WFD2016   #LovePulses   #IYP2017    

Pulse Canada is the national association representing growers, traders and processors of Canadian pulse crops (peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas).