Abstract
Food production and consumption are among the largest drivers of global change. The adoption of lentil in production systems and in plant-based diets is a food system solution that can support the environmental, socio-economic, and human health dimensions of sustainability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate producer and consumer perceptions of the sustainability profile of the lentil system in Montana (USA), and the surrounding region that includes Idaho (USA), North Dakota (USA), Washington (USA), and Canada, in the context of global change. Surveys were conducted with lentil producers (n=63; conventional n=42, organic n=15, and mixed management n=6) and consumers (n=138) in the rural state of Montana (USA). The most prevalent agronomic reason for including lentil in production systems reported by producers is to diversify crop rotation (92%). The most prevalent economic reasons for including lentil in rotation reported by producers is to capitalize on dryland production (95%) and to serve as a cash crop (87%). With respect to lentil consumption, the most prevalent health-related perceptions were that eating lentils helps to improve nutrition (88%), feel satiated or full (85%), and support a plant-based diet (81%). Consumers and non-consumers of lentils alike reported they would increase lentil consumption based on environmental (78%), economic (75%), and health and nutrition (72%) information contrasting lentils and animal-based protein sources. Overall, findings highlight how lentil supports multiple dimensions of sustainability from perceptions of producers and consumers in Montana (USA), Idaho (USA), North Dakota (USA), Washington (USA), and Canada, and recognizes barriers and opportunities for promoting lentil in agricultural systems and plant-based diets. Impacts of market, policy, and climate change on lentil production, and lack of consumer knowledge on benefits of lentils to help meet food security through a sustainable diet, challenge sustainability dimensions of lentil in the food system.
Highlights
One of the greatest societal challenges of our times is to feed a growing population a healthy and nutritious diet in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable way (Tilman and Clark, 2014; Willett et al, 2019)
The expected rise in global population from ∼7.5 billion people to 9.7 billion people by 2050 will place increased pressure on ecosystems and society to ensure food security for all (Zhang et al, 2007; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), 2019). These food system challenges are exacerbated by climate change with notable implications for sustainability (Mason and Lang, 2017; Willett et al, 2019)
The aim of this study is to examine producer and consumer perceptions of the environmental, socio-economic, and health dimensions of sustainability of lentil production and consumption in Montana and greater region including Idaho (USA), North Dakota (USA), Washington (USA), and Canada
Summary
One of the greatest societal challenges of our times is to feed a growing population a healthy and nutritious diet in an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable way (Tilman and Clark, 2014; Willett et al, 2019). The expected rise in global population from ∼7.5 billion people to 9.7 billion people by 2050 will place increased pressure on ecosystems and society to ensure food security for all (Zhang et al, 2007; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), 2019). These food system challenges are exacerbated by climate change with notable implications for sustainability (Mason and Lang, 2017; Willett et al, 2019). Overweight and obesity afflict every country (Development Initiatives, 2018) and are associated with the rise in diet-related non-communicable diseases including coronary heart disease and cancer, risk of stroke, and type II diabetes (Aune et al, 2009; Popkin, 2009; Hu, 2011; Huang et al, 2012; Pan et al, 2012; Chen et al, 2013)
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