3rd/4th-Grade
Cool Beans from Around the World
In partnership with Healthy Kids, Happy Planet, this 9 lesson multicultural, standards-based nutrition curriculum explores healthy eating through culture, geography, and global food traditions. Each lesson highlights a different “cool bean” and region of the world through hands-on activities, trivia, recipes, and movement games.
Delivered by youth, for youth, college KINstructors take students on a journey to explore beans, peas, and lentils from around the world, inspiring them to think about how they can add these fiber and protein powerhouses to their plates while learning about environmental stewardship.
See Program Overview for lesson details, standards alignment, and additional resources for families and educators.
Lesson 1: Introduction to bean-rich Multicultural Cuisine
Lesson 2: United States — Navy Bean
Lesson 3: Indigenous America — Kidney Bean
Lesson 4: The Middle East — Garbanzo Bean
Lesson 5: Africa & the American South — Black-Eyed Pea
Lesson 6: China — Soybean
Lesson 7: India — Lentil
Lesson 8: Brazil and The Amazon Rainforest — Black Bean
Lesson 9: Mexico — Pinto Bean
Spread the Word and Pass the Beans
10 reasons why Legume Literacy belongs in Food Education
Nutrient-Rich
Packed with fiber, protein, and other nutrients.
Agriculture
Supports soil health and regenerative agriculture.
Disease Prevention
Helps prevent obesity, Type 2 diabetes, & heart disease.
Forests
Prevents
agricultural deforestation.
Accessible
Affordable, shelf-stable, and
versatile.
Biodiversity
Protects against
biodiversity
loss.
Culturally Diverse
Celebrated in cultures and cuisines worldwide!
Oceans
Protects aquatic ecosystems from pollution.
Climate
Low GHG emissions (carbon, methane, nitrous oxide)
Fresh Water
Requires
minimal freshwater
to cultivate.
Legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) are a cornerstone the 'Planetary Health Diet'
Explore the 2025 EAT-Lancet Commission Report on healthy, sustainable, and just food systems to learn more about the importance of plant-rich plates for the future of the people and the planet.
Want to learn more about the power of beans?
Kids In Nutrition is a proud partner of Beans Is How, a global coalition on a mission to bring beans to the front of the menu. Explore their page for recipes, tips, and the latest news.
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