Montana's garbanzo windfall means more work for WSDA

Kathy Davis
Communications

Grain Program inspector, Eric Rupp at the Spokane Office sizing a sample of garbanzo beans from Montana.

Chickpea-based foods such as hummus and falafel have been growing in popularity. As a result, production of this grain legume - also known as garbanzo beans - has taken off, especially in western states. 

When the state of Montana experienced a big boost in acres planted in garbanzos, their one bean inspector was swamped and needed help. So Montana's grain program reached out to Philip Garcia, WSDA’s Grain Inspection Program manager. That contact led to a six-month contract for WSDA to conduct inspections of Montana’s garbanzo beans. 

A fresh chickpea (garbanzo) newly emerged from its pod.

The garbanzo harvest starts in mid-August and can continue into October. According to Scott Steinbacher, the Grain Program’s acting eastern regional manager, the Spokane and Colfax offices have inspected more than 230 samples from Montana, and they’re still coming in. 

According to USDA, U.S. acres of garbanzos totaled 603,000 this year. Washington, Idaho and Montana are the nation’s top producers. Washington saw a three-fold increase in garbanzo production this year. 

Under WSDA’s agreement with Montana, our staff does the same inspection process as Washington beans get. That starts with removing dockage (non-bean material) and dividing into sample portions. Inspectors remove damaged, split or contrasting beans. Then, using a sieve, the inspector calculates the percentage of beans within each of three size categories, and the beans per ounce in each size. 

“Processing these samples is very time consuming, as is the inspection process,” Scott noted. 

A table full of garbanzo bean samples ready for inspection.

U.S. consumption of chickpeas is forecast to reach 1.85 pounds per person this year, up from 1.21 pounds per person in 2016, according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. 

The benefits of chickpeas are touted for a healthy diet. One cup provides 29 percent of recommended daily protein and 49 percent of daily fiber, and they contain important vitamins and minerals. 

In summary: Due to a blockbuster year of garbanzo – or chickpea – production, WSDA has been helping out the state of Montana under an agreement to provide bean inspections.