As part of the LovePulses Product Showcase, Japan's competition has finished it's application period. The total application attracted 1,078 general applicants, and 36 student applicants. The total number of applicants for the Japanese Cooking Contest is 1,114. 

This article was written by Jessie Hunter, MPH, RD, Director of Domestic Marketing for the American Pulse Association. 

In celebration of International Year of Pulses, the American Pulse Association  presented  the Great School Lunch Contest Powered by Pulses, a national culinary competition for middle and high school students. Sponsored by Bush Brothers and USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, the competition challenged students along with their school nutrition advisors to develop a school lunch with pulses in both the main entree and as a vegetable side dish while meeting the National School Lunch Program  (NLSP) meal requirements. 

The Japanese National Committee has worked to create a series of 8 pulse characters to be used for social sharing. The group is titled "Mame-Eight" and consists of 8 unique pulse characters ranging in color, size, and expression!

This fun addition to the year will be developed into goods and Emojis in the near future. Check out their Facebook page!

INRA, CIRAD Univia Lands and Lands Inovia joined forces to launch the "1ères Rencontres Francophones sur les Légumineuses" (RFL1) which place May 31 and June 1, 2016 as a French international symposium. These two days of discussions addressed legume species in the food chain. The pulses and fodder were considered for their outlets in food and feed.

Learn more on their website.