Plant-based foods’ environmental benefits are widely acknowledged, yet it has been found that specific crops yield significantly higher sustainability advantages. Beyond using less water and energy than methane-emitting animal farming, certain plant proteins have the ability to draw carbon and nitrogen from the air. 

On this topic, FoodIngredientsFirst speaks to Above Food Inc., a five-generations old plant protein company operating the largest organic certified terminal in Canada and the country’s fifth largest ingredient terminal. 

The agri-food business’ proprietary whole-plant protein formulations blend plant proteins created from sustainably produced heirloom pulses and ancient grains.

Pulses – such as peas, lentils, fava beans and chickpeas – are among industry’s most significant sources of plant protein that pull nitrogen from the air to create their own fertilizer, removing the need for nitrogen fertilizers, which drive greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon sequestering and other benefits
Pulses have the capacity to store 30 percent higher soil organic carbon when compared to other species, which benefits both soil health and reduces excess carbon in the air.

“Extensive research [on the environmental advantages of pulses] has been conducted by Pulse Canada over the last 10+ years,” details Martin Williams, CEO of Above Food.

“Pulses don’t require energy-intensive irrigation,” he notes. “They also don’t rely on fossil fuel fertilizers because they are able to take nitrogen from the air and convert it through their roots into a form that can be used. All of this contributes to a low carbon footprint.”

“For example, lentils are able to provide between 50 to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Taking this a step further, all of our pulses are grown under ‘no-till’ protocols. Meaning, on top of the already low rates of resource consumption of pulses, our pulses are grown regeneratively. This further proves its low carbon footprint.”

A staple crop
Pulses are the foundational ingredient for most of the plant-based protein foods on the market. 

“We are seeing growing demand in the market for pulse-based protein snacks, jerky roasted and seasoned pulses, puffed and popped pulses,” Williams remarks.

“Pulses are also being seen as a core part of high nutrient bakery products and baby food. If we were to look at the growth of these consumer sectors and ingredient sectors, we see market potential that is more than US$20 billion.”

Researchers from the Quadram Institute and King’s College London last month showed that replacing wheat flour with a new ingredient derived from chickpeas can lower glycemic response by 40 percent compared to conventional white bread.

And last November, Cham Foods launched a line of dry, ready-to-eat pulses and grains for instant meals and soups to fill the demand for a quick, nutritious meal at home or on-the-go.

As underscored by Innova Market Insights’ Top Ten Trends 2021, the plant-based space is ever-evolving. The “Plant-Forward” trend highlights how the accelerated demand for new plant-based formats and more sophisticated alternatives drives successful launches.

In a previous Special Report, FoodIngredientsFirst spoke to key players who confirmed industry’s more significant focus on fava, peas and water lentils as starring plant ingredients that hold promise in the plant-based arena.