Earlier this month, the PURIS team was in Washington, D.C., engaging with Members of Congress, Senate offices, and agency leaders to advocate for policies that strengthen the U.S. pulse sector, improve public health, and support American farmers and food manufacturers.
As a Minnesota-based, agriculture and food-focused company, PURIS joined the USA Pulses DC mission to elevate the role of pulses (dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans) in advancing nutrition, sustainability, and economic resilience across the food system.
Championing Nutrition and Access
Lauren Hoistad - PURIS, Man Klingman - NE Farmer, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE), Mike Anderson - Anderson NW, Joshua Johnson - Chippewa Valley Bean)
A key focus of our DC conversations was the growing recognition of pulses in the 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which underscores their unique role as both a vegetable and a protein. It's critical to emphasize expanding access to pulse-based foods that have a direct and lasting impact on nutritional health outcomes. We discussed opportunities to support school systems as they explore innovative, pulse-forward menu options that meet dietary guidelines while helping address obesity and chronic disease.
Supporting Research and Innovation
PURIS also advocated for continued federal investment in pulse-focused research. Ongoing work in nutrition, food functionality, and product development is critical to delivering high-quality, affordable, and nutritious foods to consumers. These research efforts help ensure U.S. pulses remain competitive globally while enabling innovation across plant-based and traditional food applications.
(Picture above: Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach's Office - PURIS on display above the district map where our plant is located (Dawson, MN))
Strengthening Trade Through AD/CVD Enforcement
PURIS emphasized the importance of strong antidumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) enforcement to protect U.S. pulse markets from unfair trade practices. PURIS urged policymakers to maintain and strengthen AD/CVD measures to ensure fair competition, prevent market manipulation, and safeguard domestic processors, farmers, and rural communities. Effective enforcement is essential to restoring price stability, maintaining active U.S. market participation, and ensuring that American pulse products compete on a level playing field.
Looking Ahead
PURIS’s presence in Washington reflects our commitment to being an active, informed partner in shaping policies that improve health outcomes, support farmers, and build resilient food systems. We’re encouraged by the engagement we saw across the aisle and look forward to continuing this work alongside policymakers, agencies, and industry partners.
(Picture on the Right: Senator Tina Smith (MN), Lauren Perez Hoistad)
(Picture on the Left: Adam Schiff - Senator's Staff, Lauren Perez Hoistad - PURIS, Kim Saueressig - ND Farmer, Joshua Johnson - Chippewa Valley Bean, Senator's Staff)
