Greetings, and welcome to NBGA's September 2025 newsletter!

Mid-September means that dry bean harvest season is here. We wish everyone a safe and productive harvest - for dry beans and all your other crops. In this newsletter, you will find updates about last month's NDSU Dry Bean Field Days, Northarvest's involvement in the Minnesota State Fair, ideas of how to include beans in your breakfast to supercharge your day, and more.

Happy reading!

Hatton NDSU Dry Bean Field Day

September 2025 Newsletter Table of Contents:

• Bean Poll
• USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Review
• Announcements
• NBGA Partners with a Chef
• Bean Institute: Beans for Breakfast
• Bean Nutrition Corner: Americans Interested in Protein & Fiber
• Northarvest in the News and on the Move
• The Dry Bean Scene

Bean Poll

Thank you to everyone who participated in our August 2025 poll. Around 26% of respondents said they would attend the Forest River Field Day and 5% indicated attending both the Forest River and Hatton Field Days. The majority of respondents indicated they would be unable to join either of the NDSU Dry Bean Field Days. We know this is a busy time of year and appreciate your attendance, the growers who provided the land to conduct these variety trials, and the researchers who made the field days possible. You can read more about the NDSU Dry Bean Field Days in the Northarvest in the News and on the Move section of this newsletter.

Please participate in this month's poll by clicking on an option below.

September 2025 Poll: Dry Bean Harvest

Below, you can find links to the most recent USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market Reviews. Click on the date to see the report.

• The next USDA Weekly Dry Bean Market report will be released soon. You will be able to find that report here.

• For the Dry Edible Beans Daily Grower Bids, check here.

• September 8, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report August 31, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 85% in Washington, 82% in North Dakota, 95% in Montana, and 95% in Idaho. Lentils harvested in Montana was at 89% and North Dakota was at 76%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 35%, Idaho was at 7%, North Dakota was at 1%, Minnesota was at 1%, and Montana was at 79%."

• August 25, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report August 17, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 95% in Oregon, 49% in Washington, 45% in North Dakota, 64% in Montana, and 42% in Idaho. Lentils harvested in Montana was at 43% and North Dakota was at 68%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 20%, Idaho was at 1% and Montana was at 37%."

• August 18, 2025: "Compared to last week: Trade remained very light with mostly steady bid prices. According to the NASS Crop Progress Report August 10, 2025, Dry Edible Peas harvested was at 88% in Oregon, 38% in Washington, 12% in North Dakota, 35% in Montana, and 39% in Idaho. Lentils harvested in Montana was at 27% and North Dakota was at 14%. Dry Edible Beans harvested in Washington was at 2% and Montana was at 8%."

International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo

We are excited to announce the International Sugarbeet & Dry Bean Expo, happening January 21-22 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. Mark your calendars!

Visit www.isdbexpo.com for more details!

Food Industry Luminaries to Converge in Minneapolis for Bridge2Food North America Summit

The MBOLD coalition is excited to co-host the Bridge2Food North America Summit again this October 21-23 in Minneapolis and we invite you to join us. This is a terrific opportunity to engage in candid conversation and share industry insights about the latest strategies, challenges and innovations shaping the future of the dynamic alternative-protein landscape.

Here are highlights from the stellar line-up of national leaders and luminaries from Minnesota’s vibrant protein innovation ecosystem:

• Brian Kocher, CEO, SunOpta
• Annie Ryu, CEO & Founder, jack & annie’s
• David VandenEinde, VP Food Ingredients Americas R&D Leader, Cargill
• JoAnne Berkenkamp, Managing Director, MBOLD
• Michael Fox, CEO & Co-Founder, Fable Foods
• Nicole Atchison, CEO, PURIS
• Bill Aimutis, Co-Director/COO, Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein
• Laura Yee, Sr Director Processing Engineering, Upside Foods
• Auroni Majumdar, VP, R&D Global Open Innovation, CJ CheilJedang
• Pam Ismail, Director, Plant Protein Innovation Center
• Sara Rosene, Associate Principal Scientist, General Mills

This year’s event will be packed with insights into the future of plant and alternative protein, food tech and sustainability, along with some of the best networking around.

Help for Minnesota Farmers to Buy their First Farm Returns

The Down Payment Assistance Grant program is now open for applications. Some details are shown below, and you can read the full press release here.

The Down Payment Assistance Grant offers eligible farmers up to $20,000 to help buy their first farm, up from $15,000 in past years to reflect increasing land prices. The Minnesota Legislature boosted funding for the program to $1.25 million this year, up from $1 million last year.

Eligible applicants must make less than $250,000 per year in gross agricultural sales, and they must match the award with at least $8,000 of other funds (e.g. loan, contract for deed, cash, or other financing) to unlock the full award amount.



The MDA will award grants using a random lottery process, with priority given to eligible applicants who:

• Have earned no more than $100,000 in annual gross farm product sales, or;
• Are producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or specialty crops.

Applications are open now through September 15, 2025. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will notify applicants of award decisions in late September. Find the application by clicking on the link below.

This month, Chef Zobac is back with Black Bean Crackers!

The official recipe video will go live on Thursday, September 10th at 7 pm Central on NBGA's YouTube page.

Be sure to subscribe and to keep an eye on the NBGA social channels for this and other videos!

Like the Bean Institute says, "Beans can be part of your morning routine. Simply delicious, naturally nutritious beans provide plant-based protein, filling fiber, and a variety of other essential nutrients." Here are a few ideas - recipes and photos courtesy of the Bean Institute's website - of how to start your morning off with beans!

Breakfast Bean Burrito

Looking for an easy and satisfying breakfast? This Breakfast Bean Burrito is a great option! You just need a tortilla, eggs, cheese, salsa, and the beans of your choice! If you want to add more color or flavor, you can add some fresh herbs like cilantro, too.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

Black Bean Omelet with Avocado Salsa Verde

This recipe was created by the Culinary Institute of America and includes a recipe video. You can of course follow the chef's recipe. Another option is to start adding some beans to whatever omelet you are already making at home!

➡️ Find the recipe here.

Buttermilk Banana Bean Smoothie

Like we shared last month when we linked to a different bean smoothie - this Berry Bean Smoothie -adding cooked beans to a smoothie is a great way to add protein and fiber, helping keep you full. For this Buttermilk Banana Bean Smoothie, you only need a few ingredients, and it's a good way to use up buttermilk, too! Use white beans of your choice.

➡️ Find the recipe here.

In their August 2025 newsletter, the Bean Institute highlighted the impressive benefits of beans for gut health. Dr. Marina E. De León's post provides interesting and informative details about how beans support a healthy gut microbiome. She also addresses a common concern when it comes to eating beans: flatulence. She explains how "with regular intake, fiber-digesting microbes multiply, improving tolerance and comfort."

➡️ Read the full post - Beans, Fiber, & the Gut Microbiome - here.

As you browse grocery store shelves, you may have noticed that in recent years an increasing number of brands emphasize the protein content of their products. Dietary fiber is also receiving more of a spotlight. These trends align with International Food Information Council (IFIC) findings highlighted in their report on dietary guidance and food labeling.

The recent IFIC report delved into results from two separate consumer surveys:

1. The IFIC Food & Health Survey has been conducted for 20 consecutive years and covers numerous topics related to beliefs and behaviors around food and food-purchasing behaviors.
2. An IFIC Spotlight Survey specifically addressing knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about dietary guidance and food labeling.

Below, we share an overview of several of the key findings - focusing on those relevant to beans - along with links to the full report and associated webinar.

Screenshot from IFIC report

Americans Are Looking for Protein

The most common diet that Americans reported following was "high protein", with 23% reporting that they have followed a high protein diet in the last year. This is the third straight year that high protein was the top response, with increases seen each year: 18% in 2023, to 20% in 2024, to 23% in 2025. Moreover, Americans consider "good source of protein" as a criteria to define healthy food.

The survey also investigated what nutrients Americans are trying to consume. This year, protein ranked number one. In fact, protein has been the top response since 2021, and numbers just seem to be increasing. Whereas 62% of Americans reported trying to consume protein in 2021, this year's survey results shows that now 70% of Americans are seeking protein.

This is good news for beans! One serving of beans (a half cup of cooked beans) contains approximately 7 grams of protein, although the number can range from around 5 to 9 grams.

Americans are looking for protein.

Screenshot from webinar intro - watch the webinar here.

Increased Interest in Dietary Fiber

With regards to nutrients Americans are looking to consume, dietary fiber ranked number two, right after protein. 64% of Americans reported trying to consume dietary fiber. This is higher than in 2021, when 56% of Americans responded that they were looking for fiber.

Beans are one of the very best natural sources of dietary fiber, two to three times richer in fiber than whole grains! Beans pack approximately 7 grams of dietary fiber in just one serving (a half cup of cooked beans).

People are trying to consume protein and fiber, and to limit or avoid sodium and saturated fat. Screenshot from IFIC report.

What Americans Are Trying to Avoid

The survey also examined what Americans are trying to limit or avoid. The top response was sodium, with 52% of Americans aiming to limit or avoid sodium. To limit sodium, people can cook dry beans with minimal salt or choose low sodium and/or no salt added canned beans. Draining and rinsing canned beans is another way to reduce sodium.

Following sodium was saturated fat, with 45% reporting that they are trying to limit or avoid saturated fat. Beans are naturally very low in fat, with essentially no saturated fat.

Watch the Webinar

This webinar is "the first public reveal of IFIC’s latest consumer data exploring Americans’ awareness, perceptions, and use of dietary guidance, food labels, and personal eating habits. Hear directly from Kris Sollid, IFIC Senior Director of Research & Consumer Insights, and Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, IFIC President & CEO, as they break down what the data reveals—and what it means for food and nutrition professionals."

➡️ You can find the ~1 hour webinar - When Guidelines Make Headlines: American Perceptions of U.S. Dietary Guidance & Food Labeling - here.

Screenshot from webinar intro - watch the webinar here.

Citation

International Food Information Council. 2025 IFIC Food & Health Survey: A Focus On Dietary Guidance & Labeling. August 2025. https://ific.org/research/food-and-health-focus-on-dietary-guidance/

➡️ Click here to find the full report.

Northarvest at the Minnesota State Fair

Jennifer Hansen (NBGA Finance Director and Education & Sponsorship Committee Staff Lead) and Jon Hansen (Educational Outreach Associate) developed and ran a NBGA booth in the Eco Experience Building at the Minnesota State Fair this year. The building's theme was plant protein, making beans a perfect fit.

Bean trivia

The NBGA booth had an interactive trivia game, where attendees used a plinko board to determine their trivia category. The booth location was right by the entrance to the building and was a stop on the bingo game, so traffic was very good. Attendees learned about beans and received fun bean swag in return. They also had the opportunity to take a personality quiz to find their legume personality and take home the corresponding button.

Finding out their legume personalities

Jennifer Hansen reflected upon Northarvest's booth and the overall Minnesota State Fair. “Jon and I thoroughly enjoyed educating fair goers about beans. But what I found interesting, and fun was seeing how many vendors offered legumes on their menus. We found pulses in every corner of the fairgrounds and the only thing more fun than finding them was eating them with my good friend Chelsea.” Among the numerous legume dishes with pulses were a falafel waffle, many types of hummus bowls, black-eyed pea fritters, and more.

Didinger commented that she enjoyed watching Jennifer and Jon in action at the booth, actively engaging visitors and encouraging them to learn some fun facts about beans by playing the trivia game. "There was lots of laughter and smiles at the Northarvest booth. People were very excited about the prizes, and the legume personality section was a huge hit! Several people who have worked in the Eco Experience Building for years came up to tell Jennifer how well received the Northarvest booth was, which was great to hear."

L to R: Jon Hansen, Chelsea Didinger, Jennifer Hansen

Didinger (A Legume a Day) joined for the last day of the MN State Fair, supported by Bush's Beans

Northarvest appreciates our partnership with Renewing the Countryside to have a strong presence at one of the most popular state fairs in the country, to share about beans!

Northarvest Spotlighted by Minnesota Ag in the Classroom

NBGA was recently highlighted by the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Foundation. The Foundation states that NBGA is "a key partner that is helping us grow agricultural literacy across Minnesota and beyond."

MAITC recognized NBGA's commitment to helping students better understand agriculture: "[NBGA's] investment extends beyond funding, it helps us provide educators with the resources they need to teach about food systems, the science behind agriculture, and the role of crops like dry beans in a healthy diet."

MAITC also thanked Jennifer Hansen, NBGA Finance Director for her dedication to this work. "Jennifer...has played a significant role in this effort, contributing several bean-focused lesson plans to the National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix. These classroom-ready resources make it easier for educators to bring the story of dry beans into science, health, and social studies lessons."

NBGA Finance Director Jennifer Hansen with MAITC Executive Director Ann Marie Ward. Photo from the MAITC Foundation post.

The Dry Bean Scene is sponsored, in part, by NBGA. Click on the links below to listen to the most recent episodes.

• ➡️ September 5, 2025: Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley shares an update on the early stages of the harvest season. He says the harvest was slowed by this past week’s cool, wet weather. If weather cooperates, he expects a large share of the dry bean crop in North Dakota to be harvested in the next two weeks.

• ➡️ September 1, 2025: North Dakota farmer Joe Mauch and Minnesota Jacob Faugstad discuss the weather and its impact on the dry bean crop. They share when they expect to harvest.

• ➡️ August 23, 2025: Leeds, North Dakota grower Eric Jorgenson says his dry edible bean crop got off to a good start despite a somewhat dry spring. Rains in July and early August supported pod development. The crop will still need time to reach maturity.

• ➡️ August 16, 2025: NDSU Extension Plant Pathologist Michael Wunsch offers insights into white mold and fungicide treatments. He says there is a penalty to applying too early and too late - timing is important.