On Wednesday 23rd of November, 2022, the “Raising the Pulse (RtP)” project held its kick-off event at London Road Campus of the University of Reading. RtP brought together five research teams within the University of Reading and a collaborator at King’s College London to develop possible routes to market for UK-produced foods with added faba beans. The project consists of experts in diverse areas, including environment, agriculture, food, processing and nutrition, health and consumer behaviour, who will work together with several stakeholders of pulses and bread industry, government and civil society to facilitate the market acceptance of pulses and increase their consumption within the UK population.
The main objective of the kick-off meeting was to officially start up the RtP project and introduce the team with a formal get-together. The meeting was designed to orient the newly formed team to the reasons for the project and to make sure that the partners have a common understanding of goals and steps forward, giving them also with the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Key areas such as scope, implementation, risks, likely resources requirements, data management, publications, research comms, press activity and time schedule were embedded into the discussions on the agenda.
The Principal Investigator, Professor Julie Lovegrove introduced the project’s role and strategic objectives and gave tips and vital know-how on tasks to come. The event was mainly structured on the five work packages (WP) in the RtP project where WP leaders with task leaders introduced their parts which were followed by discussions on inputs, possibilities, task distribution, risks and needs regarding a specific WP or task. Some WP activities included a small brainstorming workshop regarding their part and tasks for goal identification purposes within the consortium.
Taking into consideration that no aspect or information during the meeting came up as new for any of the partners and discussions were positive and constructive, it can be regarded as a successful first meeting. All in all the reasons and objective of the kick-off meeting was fulfilled as WPLs and business partners are fully committed to their tasks and on the same page.