wellness
Annex Residents Switch to Beans, Legumes, Nuts for Protein
The Annex residents are shifting toward beans, legumes and nuts for daily protein needs amid ongoing economic pressures.
How we reported this
Shoppers at the Annex Co-op on Maple Avenue reported a 40 percent jump in bulk legume sales during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
Consumer pessimism persists even as recession fears have eased, pushing households to cut grocery costs while maintaining nutrition. The trend shows up clearly in The Annex, where residents track spending more closely than in prior years.
Where to find options locally
The Annex Community Garden on Fifth Street supplies fresh chickpeas and lentils through its weekly pickup program that started in April. Further east, the Green Plate Cafe on River Road added three new plant-protein bowls to its menu last month, each priced at $9.50 and built around locally sourced tempeh and edamame.
Both locations participate in the Annex Healthy Eating Initiative, a city-run effort launched in March 2026 that offers recipe cards and bulk-buy discounts for non-meat proteins.
Numbers behind the shift
A March 2026 survey by the Annex Public Health Department found that 35 percent of adults in the neighborhood now eat at least one meat-free meal daily, up from 22 percent the year before. Lentils currently sell for $2.29 per pound at the Co-op, roughly one-third the price of ground beef at the same store.
Those who want to try the approach can start with a simple swap at dinner, such as replacing half the meat in a chili recipe with kidney beans from the community garden harvest. The initiative provides free sample packs at both the garden and the cafe through the end of July.