Ahead of World Pulses Day, Slow Food reiterates that plant-rich diets are central to improving the health of both people and the planet. At a time of growing geopolitical tensions, the organization stresses that global supply chains no longer guarantee food sovereignty, neither in terms of access to nutritious food nor fair incomes for farmers,  highlighting pulses as a powerful lever for a necessary paradigm shift in food systems.

“Public policies must support local supply chains, protect biodiversity, and improve market access for small-scale producers, so the nutritional, economic, and environmental value of pulses delivers real benefits to communities worldwide,” said Francesco Sottile, Slow Food Board member. “Pulses are essential to healthy agri-food systems: they provide high-quality protein and vital micronutrients, strengthen food security, and improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. World Pulses Day is more than a celebration, it is a cultural call to action, urging concrete commitment to an ecosystem based on mutual respect. Biodiversity is the key: resilient, locally adapted crops enable agroecological farming that respects natural resources and avoids synthetic chemicals”.

Within the global  Slow Food network, 56 Slow Food Presidia and 342 Ark of Taste products are dedicated to preserving pulse biodiversity. Producers, cooks and activists committed to promoting pulses and legumes can also join the Slow Beans Network. By signing its Manifesto, participants share common values, including promoting agroecology, defending pulse biodiversity, sharing knowledge, and working collectively to improve access to good, clean, and fair food for all.

Pulses can shift European and global policies

Slow Food urges EU institutions and Member States to ensure upcoming policy frameworks reflect these priorities. The forthcoming Livestock Strategy and Protein Strategy announced by the EU Commission, as well as the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and relevant funding schemes within the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) , must clearly support diversified and territorial food systems, agroecology and rural development. Europe’s intensive livestock sector remains heavily dependent on imported feed, contributing to overproduction, long-term environmental harm, and poor animal welfare. Despite the European Commission highlighting animal welfare as a priority, more than 24,000 pig and poultry intensive farms across Europe raise serious concerns for animal welfare, public health, and the environment.

Expanding pulse production and consumption can reduce the overconsumption of meat all while tackling dependence on imported feed proteins, which currently underpin industrial animal farming. Working towards so-called “protein autonomy”, must happen hand in hand with a transition toward extensive, pasture-based, and agroecological systems that respect animal welfare.

When combined with trade rules that require imports of food and feed to meet the same environmental, social, and animal welfare standards as EU-produced crops, and with public policies that reward short supply chains and fair pricing, pulses can be a productive path for farmers to be guardians of our ecosystems. Lastly, strengthening local food systems through tools such as public procurement not only keeps value with farmers, but also builds food sovereignty rooted in quality and care by educating and providing societies with healthy menus.

Why pulses matter for climate and health

Beans generate significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based foods: producing one serving of lentils generates 173 times less CO₂ equivalent than a serving of beef. Beef and other ruminants require more than 20 times more land than pulses per unit of protein consumed. Producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 litres of water, compared to just 360 litres for one kilogram of beans. Slow Food cooperates with Meatless Monday, a global campaign in association with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF), to promote sustainable eating by encouraging one plant-based day per week as a simple way to reduce environmental impact. This collaboration aligns with Slow Food’s broader Plant the Future vision, which supports a transition toward agroecology and plant-rich diets that respect animal welfare, biodiversity, and local food cultures.

Pulses of the world – Slow Food communities celebrations worldwide

In Turkey, besides plant-based dinners, the Slow Food Adana Community celebrates with the students of the Gastronomy Department of Nezihe Yalvaç Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School. After a presentation, traditional recipes will be prepared with legumes from the Adana Earth Market.

In the South African province of Gauteng, Slow Food communities cooperate with the Meatless Monday network to promote an awareness campaign in schools on the importance of beans.

In Belchite (Spain) there will be a Pulses Fair with film screenings, tastings and a market with local varieties.

In London (UK), a gathering dedicated to dry pulses will bring together growers, writers, cooks, and food experts to explore legumes from field to table. The event will include short talks on cultivation and terroir, followed by guided tastings and a shared meal.

As part of the campaign led by Slow Food Italy, more than 100 restaurateurs and pizza makers from the Slow Food Alliance are offering at least one legume-based dish in their restaurants.

Download the Slow Food Plant the Future toolkit: https://www.slowfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Plant-the-Future_ENG.pdf

Find out more on the Slow Food Policy Brief Making EU agrifood trade work for better food systems https://www.slowfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/EN_SF-Policy-Brief_Whats-the-deal_.pdf

About Meatless Monday: https://www.mondaycampaigns.org/meatless-monday/about

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