Championing the Mighty Bean

Join us in doubling UK bean consumption by 2028

At Suma, we’ve always known that beans are brilliant. Humble, nourishing, and endlessly versatile, they’ve long been a staple of our co-operative. Now, they’re at the heart of a major new movement: The Food Foundation’s national campaign to double UK bean consumption by 2028. Suma is proud to be a Platinum Pledge partner.

“We’re a worker-owned co-operative of food lovers who believe good things grow when we work together, which is why we’re proud to take the Platinum Pledge and champion the mighty bean.”

Healthy, hearty and wholesome
Beans are a nutritional powerhouse . They’re high in fibre, low in fat, naturally free from cholesterol, and rich in key minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. They even count towards your five-a-day. From comforting baked beans to Mediterranean stews, they’re an easy way for customers to add affordable, feel-good nutrition to their meals.

Good for the planet too
Beans don’t just nourish people; they nurture the planet. They produce far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than animal-based foods, and because they fix nitrogen in the soil, they actually improve soil health and reduce the need for fertilisers. Supporting beans means supporting biodiversity and sustainable farming. That’s the kind of future-focused food system our industry is striving for.

Affordable and adaptable
With budgets under pressure, beans are a simple win. They’re one of the most affordable sources of protein available – cheaper than meat and many plant-based alternatives – and they feature across global cuisines. From spicy black beans to creamy cannellini and fragrant chickpeas, there’s a bean for every store and every shopper.

Beans at Suma: the story so far
We’ve been flying the flag for beans for decades. In the 12 months to our 2025 year end, Suma sold 226 metric tonnes of bulk dried beans and pulses (128mt conventional, 98mt organic), plus 404 metric tonnes of canned beans and pulses under our own label (130mt conventional, 275mt organic). Add in our ever-popular organic baked beans we’ve sold 125mt across just three SKUs! That’s a lot of bean power heading to shelves across the UK.

Get involved and get stocked up!
The campaign runs until 2028, so there’s plenty of time to join the bean revolution. Shoppers are actively seeking affordable, planet-friendly staples and beans tick every box. Whether you stock dried, canned, or baked, make sure your shelves are ready for the rise of the mighty bean.

Find out more about The Food Foundation’s campaign at foodfoundation.org.uk