Hippeas® Announces Leading-Edge Regenerative Agriculture Collaboration with Avena Foods

Pulse-Based Snack Brand and Specialty Pulse and Oat Miller Launching 'Living Lab' on Canadian Prairies

NEW YORK, June 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HIPPEAS® is spreading The Peas & Love by piloting a cutting-edge regenerative agriculture pilot program with Canadian specialty pulse and oat miller Avena Foods Limited. The collaboration includes the development of a field crop 'living lab' demonstration with Rosengren Farms, an Avena grower. Rosengren has over a decade of experience in the innovative practice of growing multiple crops (grains and pulses) in combination, which is also referred to as intercropping. This important sustainability project, with the support of Saskatchewan's South East Research Farm, will evaluate the intercropping practice for climate impacts through scientific modeling.

Intercropping is based on the principle that different crops have different nutrient requirements, growth patterns, and ecological niches, which can be complementary when grown together. Intercropping can enhance soil fertility, reduce pest and disease pressure, increase yield, and diversify farm income. Despite these benefits, it has not yet been widely adopted as it requires careful planning, management, and monitoring to avoid competition, shading, and allelopathy between the crops. That's where pilot programs and 'living labs" come in, as they can create a blueprint for farmers and suppliers to reap the benefits and ultimately reduce climate impact.

By sponsoring this science-based assessment, HIPPEAS seeks to measure the impact of regenerative farming methods on soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient density:

• DOUBLE BIODIVERSITY by seeding a mixed field of peas with canola, and chickpeas with flax
• GREATER RESILIENCE in the field to extremes of moisture, disease, and pest infestations
• ENHANCED SOIL PROTECTION from soil erosion after harvest when compared to pea or chickpea monoculture (i.e., just one crop in a field)
• MINIMUM SOIL DISTURBANCE with fertilizer stewardship, reductions in fertilizer

"We have been working with Avena as a supplier of our pulses and are so excited to be taking our partnership to new heights with our collaborative regenerative agriculture pilot program," stated HIPPEAS® CMO, Julia Hecht. "Yellow pea is the #1 ingredient in our HIPPEAS Veggie Straws and is also used in our Chickpea Tortilla Chips and Chickpea Puffs, so we're proud to source regeneratively grown yellow peas from Avena. HIPPEAS has always aligned with suppliers who are trying to make a difference in sustainable agriculture and Avena's commitment is incomparable -- we are thrilled to be a part of this impactful pilot program and look forward to sharing our findings and other exciting news later this year," she continued. 

"Our partnership with HIPPEAS harnesses the expertise of farmers and food scientists," explained Avena CEO Gord Flaten. "We want to field-test ideas for improving the environmental footprint of food production. Our focus is on innovations that are good for people and also for the planet."

HIPPEAS® is all about mind, body and soil. Peas support a healthy and diverse farm by naturally keeping nutrients in the soil, where they should be! HIPPEAS® peas are farmed using practices like conservation tillage to improve soil erosion and crop rotations that improve soil health. Peas naturally use less fertilizer by pulling nitrogen from the air, which helps lower the brand's carbon footprint. At HIPPEAS®, they believe that sustainable farming (and snacking!) is the way forward!

About HIPPEAS^®

HIPPEAS^® is on a mission to shake things up. HIPPEAS^® is calling all snackers to #GivePeasAChance^® while also doing good in the world. HIPPEAS^® Plant-Based Snacks are Non-GMO Project Verified, certified gluten-free and vegan. Pea plants release nitrogen back into the earth, so they're naturally good for the planet. True to their mantra of Peas, Love & Giving Back, HIPPEAS^® is proud to support local Feeding America food banks across the country by donating food and aiding in disaster relief efforts. HIPPEAS^® can be found at premium retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Wegmans, Sprouts, Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Safeway/Albertsons, Kroger, Starbucks, Amazon, Thrive Market as well as select CVS, Publix, Walmart and Costco locations. For more information, visit HIPPEAS.com and follow along on Instagram @hippeas_snacks

About Avena Foods

Avena is a specialty miller that provides food, pet food and nutraceutical manufacturers with sustainably grown and milled purity protocol oat and functional gluten-free pulse ingredients. Avena partners with growers, facilitating sustainable cropping systems incorporating rotations of oats and pulses. This, coupled with superior food safety and quality management systems, fulfills the promise of Avena Purity Protocol 'Start Safe, Stay Safe' gluten-free oats and our offering of Avena Best ingredients. Avena product ranges are non-GMO, gluten-free and available conventional or certified organic. Partnering for safe, healthy diets and a sustainable world.

Media Contact:
Rachel Powell
516.314.7730
[email protected] 

SOURCE HIPPEAS; Avena Foods