Sustainability and Innovation/
GPC gives industry awards to pulse pioneers at Pulses 23 in Sydney

The prizes, the first of their kind in the pulses industry, were awarded to Plantae Bioscience for innovation and Beans is How for sustainability and were given out at special ceremonies during the convention by former Board President Cindy Brown and current Board President Vijay Iyengar.

Plantae Bioscience was recognized for its innovation in pulse ingredients, having successfully removed 99% of the bitterness from yellow pea protein. When presenting the award, Cindy Brown said: “For pulses to take their rightful place as central to future food systems, innovation is key. When we heard what Plantae Bioscience was doing, we were excited at the infinite possibilities it opened for our industry.” 

Dorit Katz, Director of Business Development at Huminn, parent company of Plantae Bioscience, received the Golden Chickpea on behalf of Plantae Bioscience.

David Hart, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Plantae Bioscience, said of the award: “We are strong believers in the ability of advanced technology to create a tastier, healthier and more sustainable world. This award recognizes our use of gene-editing and precision breeding to quickly arrive at saponin-reduced yellow peas.” 

“This trait could lead to tastier pea protein; a valuable consumer trait for the plant-based products market,” he went on. “We look forward to partner with stakeholders in the pulse supply chain to apply our technologies to create better pulse genetics.”

The inaugural Green Pea Sustainability Leadership award went to Beans is How, a coalition by the SDG2 Advocacy Hub that aims to double global bean, pea, lentil and chickpea consumption by 2028. Announcing the winner, Cindy Brown said of Beans is How: “By building a community of like-minded organizations, companies and individuals of which GPC is proud to be part, it is striving for food systems that are stable, sustainable and which, most importantly have pulses at their core. Watching its progress in building awareness around the health and environmental benefits of beans, lentils, chickpeas and peas suggests a promising future for our industry.”

Paul Newnham, the SDG2 Hub’s Executive Director, received the award following his Keynote Speech on Day 1 of Pulses 23, saying: “What an honor! This couldn’t have been possible without a team effort. Thanks to the SDG2 Advocacy Hub team that have worked tirelessly to make this happen. Thanks to our agency partner Weber Shandwick, all the coalition partners, the Bean Board and the Science and Innovation Advisory Council, who have engaged with us in generous ways. Thank you to Cindy, Vijay, Randy and the GPC Board of Directors for honouring our work. We hope others will join us as we advocate for good food for all.”