Founder's note
Hi, I’m Lesley and the truth is, I’m obsessed with beans.
I grew up in a small town on the Mexican border and was the kid at the local restaurant asking for "no rice, only beans please." After spending 15 years working in agriculture and nutrition, and learning about the role that beans play in human and soil health, it became clear to me that beans are the perfect food.
But there was one problem– even though beans are a staple in so many countries, they don’t have the best reputation here in the US. And recently harvested, flavorful beans are difficult to come by. After traveling the world and cooking my way through as many beans as I could get my hands on, I knew I had to share the love.
Primary Beans was created to make home cooking an act of mindful living. Whether you have 30 minutes or 3 hours, it’s meant to provide you with the chance to connect with yourself, those around you, and the planet. It’s a chance to expand your horizons without leaving your dinner table. And at our dinner table, everyone’s invited.
Lesley Sykes, Founder
Eat your beans
We believe beans belong at the forefront of your pantry and at the center of meals that are good for you and the planet.
stock your pantryField-to-pantry transparency
When it comes to dried beans, freshness matters. Beans cook up best within one year of harvest. Our beans are single-origin, meaning they come directly from our farm partners across the US and Mexico and don’t get mixed in with other beans. Each fall and winter the beans are carefully harvested, and we put this sourcing information on every bag so that you can keep track.
Field-to-pantry transparency
When it comes to dried beans, freshness matters. Beans cook up best within one year of harvest. Our beans are single-origin, meaning they come directly from our farm partners across the US and Mexico and don’t get mixed in with other beans. Each fall and winter the beans are carefully harvested, and we put this sourcing information on every bag so that you can keep track.
learn more
Thoughtfully sourced
Quality, freshness, and impact are non-negotiables, so we developed a sourcing philosophy that honors the beans and the land they come from. We shed light on farms that are nourishing the soil and preserving the market for unique bean varieties. We include harvest information on every bag.
our impactInspiring kitchen confidence
There are a million ways to cook beans, and countless cuisines to dive into. By showcasing the world’s long-standing way with beans and sharing easy-to-follow tips, we’re building a community of cooks that trusts their instinct as much as any recipe.
get the guide
Inspiring kitchen confidence
There are a million ways to cook beans, and countless cuisines to dive into. By showcasing the world’s long-standing way with beans and sharing easy-to-follow tips, we’re building a community of cooks that trusts their instinct as much as any recipe.
get the guideOur founding advisors
Karen Cichy
Research Geneticist, Dry Beans, US Department of Agriculture
Expertise: breeding, international beans, cooking qualities
Laura Edwards-Orr
Director of Institutional Impact, Center for Good Food Purchasing
Expertise: sourcing, impact, food systems
Jim Knutzon
Vice President, Food and Agriculture Division, SCS Global Services
Expertise: agriculture, supply chains, operations