Hi, we’re Lesley and Renee, the sisters behind Primary Beans.
The truth is, we’re obsessed with beans. We’re fifth-generation Arizonans from a small town on the Mexican border. Like any border town kids, we grew up around the culture and flavors of Northern Mexico. Early on, we developed a deep appreciation for beans and were the kids asking for “no rice, only beans please” at the local restaurant.
Beans are a protein staple in so many countries, yet at home in the US, we’re barely scratching the surface of all they have to offer. Recently harvested, super flavorful beans are difficult to come by, and we're simultaneously searching everywhere for climate-friendly sources of protein.
We created Primary Beans to deepen our connection to the food we eat and the land it comes from. Whether you have 30 minutes or 3 hours, it’s a chance to expand your horizons without leaving your dinner table. And at our dinner table, everyone’s invited.
“After spending 15 years working in agriculture and learning about the role that beans play in human and soil health, it became clear to me that beans are the perfect food. I started traveling in my mid-twenties, and with each trip, I fell in love with a new ingredient, agricultural region, or cooking technique. Beans were the common denominator. After cooking my way through as many beans as I could get my hands on, I knew I had to share the love.”
- Lesley
“I’ve worked in branding and design for nearly 10 years in cities from coast to coast. After assessing the world of pantry staples, it became clear to me that these ingredients are often an afterthought. For beans specifically, I found cooking instructions confusing with no transparency around sourcing— far from being in tune with today’s home cook. I knew there was an opportunity to uplift the humble bean.”
- Renee
Hi, we’re Lesley and Renee, the sisters behind Primary Beans.
The truth is, we’re obsessed with beans. We’re fifth-generation Arizonans from a small town on the Mexican border. Like any border town kids, we grew up around the culture and flavors of Northern Mexico. Early on, we developed a deep appreciation for beans and were the kids asking for “no rice, only beans please” at the local restaurant.
Beans are a protein staple in so many countries, yet at home in the US, we’re barely scratching the surface of all they have to offer. Recently harvested, unique varieties of beans are difficult to come by, and we're simultaneously searching everywhere for climate-friendly sources of protein.
We created Primary Beans to deepen our connection to the food we eat and the land it comes from. Whether you have 30 minutes or 3 hours, it’s a chance to expand your horizons without leaving your dinner table. And at our dinner table, everyone’s invited.
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 pantryFor the way we eat today
Primary Beans is proud to showcase lesser-known bean varieties that home cooks crave and that farms are thrilled to grow, facilitating a connection that makes cooking an act of mindful living.
see our sourcing criteriaSingle-origin for maximum freshness
Unlike beans that pass through the commodity supply chain, each of our varieties comes directly from one of our family farm partners, maintaining its origin and preserving the uniqueness of each harvest. With harvest dates on every bag, you’ll always know exactly how fresh your beans are.
Single-origin for maximum flavor
In a typical commodity supply chain, beans are combined, stored, and handled by various players, losing their origin, time of harvest, and unique flavor in the process. At Primary Beans, each variety comes directly from one of our farm partners and doesn't get mixed with beans from other sources. With harvest information on every bag, you’ll always know exactly how fresh your beans are.
Diversity in variety and flavor
Dried beans from around the world have an incredible range of complexity in flavor and texture. We're bringing the varieties– whether heirloom, organic, or something in between– that rarely make it on a typical grocery store shelf directly to the home cook, and shedding light on their origin stories.
Inspiring kitchen confidence
Beans are a blank canvas. By showcasing the world’s way with beans and sharing easy-to-follow bean cooking tips, we’re building a community of cooks that trust their instinct as much as any recipe. Your beans, your choice.
get the cooking 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