2016 has been declared the International Year of the Pulse by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Why choose a relatively unknown crop? Because of it’s multiple benefits, both for people and the environment!
Pulses are great for sustainable agriculture and soil production. They’re what is known as green manure. Using pulses in crop rotations rejuvenates the soil, and promotes microbial activity in the soil. When the pulse plants dies in the field, its remaining nitrogen is released back into the soil. The amino acids are converted into nitrate, which serves as fertilizer for future crops.
It’s an age-old secret to use pulses in crop rotations to practice sustainable agriculture. Pulses themselves require little to no nitrogen fertilizer, which is an energy sucking process to manufacture (and emits tons of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere).
This, combined with pulse crops low water footprint, makes pulses a pretty sustainable and environmentally-friendly food. Since Canada is the world’s second largest pulse producer, pulse crops are also a great advocate for supporting local agriculture, something Food Services is passionate about!
Today is the last day for our Nutrition Week meal deals! Head over to MSB and Robarts for a falafel plate or wrap, or to the Cube for a side of Tuscany bean salad or tri-colored chickpea salad. New College and the Green Beet will be offering a (vegan!) special pulse menu as well!
Though Nutrition Week is coming to an end, eating healthy shouldn’t. Take the Veggie Mondays pledge and get 10% off the featured veggie meal at Food Services locations.
– Emily Hotton
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