More beans. Better menus. Bigger impact.
For operators, it means encouraging greater use of beans across menus. Beans are nutritious, versatile, cost-effective, and can support sustainability goals while helping deliver meals that customers love.
Supporting better food choices
As the first wholesaler to join the Bang In Some Beans campaign, Bidfood has pledged to increase bean sales by 30% by 2028. We support the campaign because beans offer a practical solution to some of the food industry’s biggest challenges, helping operators create nutritious, cost-effective and sustainable menus without compromising on taste.
Why Bidfood joined
Nutrient-dense and satisfying
Beans are packed with fibre and protein, helping to keep us feeling fuller for longer. They are also a source of essential micronutrients such as iron and B vitamins and count towards 1 of your 5 a day! Finally, they are versatile and suit a wide range of dietary requirements.
Affordable for every menu
A truly inclusive ingredient, beans are popular across cultures and budgets alike. They help make tight budgets stretch further and offer a significantly cheaper protein alternative to meat.
Better for the planet
Beans enrich soil health by naturally locking in nitrogen, supporting biodiversity and lower-carbon menus. As a shelf-stable ingredient, they also help reduce food waste - with a carbon footprint significantly lower than other protein sources.
Why use more beans?
By increasing the use of beans, we can help:
- Demonstrate how beans can elevate everyday dishes
- Serve nutritious dishes without compromising on flavour
- Contribute to a more sustainable food system
- Bring greater variety and flexibility to menus
- Manage ingredient costs effectively
- Meet growing customer demand for plant-forward dishes
What Bidfood is doing
Our sustainability, nutrition, marketing, and chef development teams are actively working to help customers maximise the benefits of incorporating beans into their menus.
We are here to help customers with:
- Product recommendations
- Menu guidance and recipe inspiration
- Cost-saving opportunities
- Sustainability and nutrition insights
- Sector-specific support
Whether you’re looking to introduce new menu items or improve existing dishes, Bidfood will happily collaborate to help identify the right solutions for your business.
Resources to support your bean journey
Discover practical tools, inspiration and guidance to help you make the most of beans on your menu. Browse the resources for ideas, insights and support to help you create dishes that are nutritious, appealing and sustainable.
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Beyond the side dish: unlocking the potential of beans, legumes and pulses
Beans, legumes and pulses are no longer just a nutritious addition, they’re a strategic solution for foodservice businesses.
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Beans, legumes and pulses
As part of our vision to be a positive force for change, we’ve produced a series of factsheets to help our customers better understand sustainability issues, and what we’re doing about them. -
Unlock your menu
Our hub of expert tips, advice and strategies in menu engineering and cost-saving to unlock your menu and enhance your bottom line, supporting your long-term success. -
Food and drink trends 2026
The Whole Lotta Goodness trend is a positive movement towards incorporating more wholefoods onto menus and into diets.
FAQs
We are proud to be the first wholesaler pledging to the Bang In Some Beans Campaign. Being on this bean journey since November 2025, we’re glad to support you. Whether you’d like to pledge to the campaign yourself or need support in increasing beans, legumes and pulses within your menus, we will help you to deliver exceptional meals for all your customers.
Which products does Bidfood offer?
We offer a range of bean products suitable for a wide variety of sectors and cuisines. Using frozen, dried, canned, fresh, ready meals and hybrid products – beans, legumes and pulses can easily be part of your menus. Your account manager can advise on the best options.
Can Bidfood support with menu development?
Yes. We can provide support on menu development, recipe ideas, and guidance on incorporating bean-based dishes. Email our sustainability team sustainability@bidfood.co.uk to discuss campaign resources.
Which plant-based products are proving popular among food trends?
As the popularity of plant-based diets continues to grow, the variety of available products is more diverse than ever. Products made with pulses such as beans, lentils and chickpeas are especially prominent and many popular recipe platforms are showcasing these ingredients in a fresh, modern, and visually striking way. Additionally, new product launches emphasise convenience, for example, frozen salads and ancient grains or ready prepared plant-based proteins, such as pre-marinated tofu and tempeh – making it easier than ever to enjoy plant-based foods in our busy lives.
Explore our: Whole Lotta Goodness trend
Will adding beans help manage food costs?
Beans can be a cost-effective ingredient that help create satisfying dishes while supporting menu profitability. They are among the most shelf stable ingredients, also supporting any food waste reduction objectives.
Which sectors can benefit from this campaign?
Education, healthcare, care homes, hospitality, leisure, workplace catering, business and industry and foodservice operations. Beans are both versatile in recipes as well as business objectives. From reducing menu costs, promoting wholesome and healthier options and reducing menu carbon impact, beans can help you.
Who should I contact for support?
Speak to your Bidfood Account Manager to discuss products and recipes. Our sustainability team can help with campaign related information and identify opportunities to align menus with wider sustainability objectives – sustainability@bidfood.co.uk