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 our favorite local restaurant.
Take a look at a typical grocery shelf and it’s likely you count the number of bean varieties on a single hand. But there are hundreds of varieties that serve as culinary staples across the globe, offering so much diversity in flavor, texture, and story. Beans are one the world’s longest-cultivated foods for good reason – they’re nutrient-dense, good-for-the-planet, delicious, and actually really easy to prepare.
We created Primary Beans to spread our obsession with beans, and to shed light on the incredible farming communities they come from. To us, sitting down with a homemade bowl of beans is a chance to deepen our connection to the food we eat, even (especially) on our busiest days. With over a dozen varieties and counting, it’s just the beginning of bringing the most flavorful beans we can find to your home kitchen.
“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
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.
Take a look at a typical grocery shelf and it’s likely you count the number of bean varieties on a single hand. But there are hundreds of varieties that serve as culinary staples across the globe, offering so much diversity in flavor, texture, and story. Beans are one the world’s longest-cultivated foods for good reason – they’re nutrient-dense, good-for-the-planet, delicious, and actually really easy to prepare.
We created Primary Beans to spread our obsession with beans, and to shed light on the incredible farming communities they come from. To us, sitting down with a homemade bowl of beans is a chance to deepen our connection to the food we eat, even (especially) on our busiest days. With over a dozen varieties and counting, it’s just the beginning of bringing the most flavorful beans we can find to your home kitchen.
The PB experience
Our beans provide an opportunity for home cooks to not only expand their horizons in the kitchen, but also interact with our sourcing in a unique way. Through our Bean People membership, Pilot Project, and other initiatives, we’re bridging the gap between farmers and breeders with the people who enjoy their fruits of labor, and inviting them to more deeply engage in our food system.
find out more
The Primary Beans experience
Our beans provide an opportunity for home cooks to not only expand their horizons in the kitchen, but also interact with our sourcing in a unique way. Through our Bean People membership, Pilot Project, and other initiatives, we’re bridging the gap between farmers and breeders with the people who enjoy their fruits of labor, and inviting them to more deeply engage in our food system.
find out more
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.
Rooted in ritual
We see beans as a vehicle to pay more attention to the food we eat, how it makes us feel, and how it connects us to those we love. We've been blown away by how much cooking beans has become an act of ritual and self-care for our community.
join our communityRooted in ritual
We see beans as a vehicle to pay more attention to the food we eat, how it makes us feel, and how it connects us to those we love. We've been blown away by how much cooking beans has become an act of ritual and self-care for our community.
join our communityInspiring kitchen confidence
By sharing our method for quick, easy, and delicious beans every time, we’re building a community of cooks that trust their instinct as much as they trust any recipe.
our 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 guideInspiring kitchen confidence
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.
the cooking guide
Inspiring kitchen confidence
By sharing our method for quick, easy, and delicious beans every time, we’re building a community of cooks that trust their instinct as much as any recipe.
our cooking 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