Last year, you might remember that we became official ‘keen bean promoters’ as part of the Food Foundation’s #BangInSomeBeans campaign. This year, we’re taking that commitment one step further.

We’re proud to have signed up as Gold Bean Pledgers, committing not only to deliver on the actions we already promised, but also to increase our sales of bean‑containing dishes by 75% by 2028.

Why?

Quite simply, beans are brilliant! And we want children to grow up enjoying them as a normal, tasty part of everyday meals.

The evidence is hard to ignore:

• Diets low in beans are associated with up to 9,000 premature deaths in the UK each year.
• A portion of beans contains around twice as much fibre as a chicken breast, and significantly more fibre than many commonly eaten foods.
• Two‑thirds of the UK population eat less than one portion of beans per week.
• Replacing even some meat with beans can significantly reduce the environmental impact of our food system.

For us, this is about adding even more value to our menus. We will continue to offer a wide range of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes because variety and balance are at the heart of high‑quality early years food. But we also believe it’s our responsibility to respond to the evidence and offer food that is good for children’s health, good for the planet and genuinely enjoyable.

Our pledge is about confidence in the evidence, belief in the food we serve, and a commitment to supporting children’s health, both now and for the future.

Why early years matter

Early childhood is a critical window for shaping food preferences and eating habits. By introducing beans regularly during the early years, when children are developing their taste preferences and learning what foods are tasty and familiar, we help to:

• Build acceptance of a wider range of tastes and textures
• Reduce reliance on a narrow set of foods
• Lay foundations for healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime

Beans are not a ‘swap’ or a ‘replacement’. They are a positive addition that helps children experience variety while meeting their nutritional needs.

What do we mean by “beans”?

When we talk about beans as part of our Bean Pledge, we’re using the term broadly, in line with the campaign’s definition, to include beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas, foods that often sit under the umbrella of pulses.

This includes:

What makes beans so good for children?

Beans are rich in fibre, protein and key vitamins and minerals, making them a valuable food for growing children.

Fibre: Beans support healthy digestion and can help to prevent constipation. Fibre also feeds beneficial gut bacteria that support immune health. We know that most children do not get enough fibre in their diets, and beans are a simple, sustainable way to help close this gap.

Protein: Beans provide plant‑based protein, which is essential for growth, muscle development and tissue repair - particularly important during periods of rapid growth in early childhood.

Vitamins and Minerals: Beans contain important vitamins and minerals such as iron, which supports brain development, learning and concentration, and zinc, which plays a key role in immune function, wound healing and normal growth.

When beans are offered regularly, in a variety of child‑friendly ways, they help support children’s nutritional needs while also expanding their food experiences.

Our Bean Pledge:
Becoming a Bean Pledger reflects what we’ve always believed: early years food matters.

This pledge reinforces our mission to:

• Use evidence to guide our menus
• Look after our planet
• Support long‑term health
• Offer meals that are nourishing, balanced and enjoyable

We’re excited to go bolder with beans! If we can help children love beans now, we’re helping to shape healthier futures for years to come.