Managing director of the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC), Georgie Aley has been selected to lead an international effort focused on raising awareness about pulses.
Aley has been appointed to the role of Chair of the Global Creating Awareness Theme, and will be traveling to Italy later this month to participate in a meeting with the FAO/UN Committee for Food Security as part of the planning for the UN-proclaimed, 2016 International Year of Pulses (IYOP).
In addition, Aley has also been named Chair of the IYOP Australian Steering Committee to drive the IYOP program at a national level.
“I am privileged to take on the role of Chair of the Global Creating Awareness Theme at the 2016 International Year of Pulses meeting in Rome, representing GLNC and the Australian pulses industry,” said Aley.
“There is potential to achieve so much right across the globe to drive awareness of the benefits of pulses such as beans, peas and lentils, so it’s exciting to have the opportunity to be at the coalface where we can make a real difference to the future of the food industry.
“The IYOP Australian Steering Committee will actively engage with the Australian pulse community including researchers, food industry, growers and other industry organisations to influence the planning and implementation of the program. We want to ensure that interests of the entire Australian pulse community are represented.”
In addition to Aley’s appointment, Michelle Broom, GLNC nutrition program manager, has also been named as a member of the Global Health, Nutrition & Food Innovation theme; while Tim Edgecombe, Pulse Australia CEO, is a member on the Global Market Access and Productivity & Environmental Sustainability themes.
The United Nations officially declared 2016 International Year of Pulses at the UN General Assembly in December 2013.