Source of organic garbanzo beans online?

[Mandevu]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a suggestions for an online seller of bulk organic garbanzo beans?

Direct from the farmer would be best.

Thank you!

-Mandevu. 

[Mandevu]

Hi all,
   
I spent a little too much time with google and came up with a list of organic chickpea suppliers since bulk, dry chickpeas are hard to get in our area.  I am including what I found here in case anyone else is in the same situation we are.
   
The chickpea suppliers:

Rancho Gordo-- carries a lot of heritage bean varieties too, but they do not seem to be organic.  Chickpeas were $4.95/lb.

http://www.ranchogordo.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RG&Product_Code=GARB02&Category_Code=DHAHB4

Timeless Natural Food-- their chickpeas are an organic black-colored heritage variety from Central Asia, $6.25 for 14 ounces.  They sell a 25 lb. "food service pack" but they never responded to my inquiry as to how much this cost. 

http://www.timelessfood.com/vmchk/Organic-Chickpeas/Organic-Black-Kabuli%C2%AE-Chickpea-14-oz.-package/flypage.tpl.html

Through Amazon, you can find Arrowhead Mills-- organic chickpeas in one pound bags.

http://www.amazon.com/Arrowhead-Mills-Chickpeas-Garbanzos-Organic/dp/B001O8RDU2

and also Home Naturals-- organic chickpeas in 25 lb. units, but these were described as "Heirloom Quality."  That just sounds hokey.

http://www.amazon.com/Bulk-Organic-Beans-Garbanzo-Chick/dp/B0019L6PPI

Ultimately we ordered from Nuts Online-- their 25 lb bag of organic chickpeas was reasonably priced, arrived quickly and they were tasty to boot!  They sell tons of other bulk items like dried fruits, nuts and grains.

http://www.nutsonline.com/cookingbaking/beans/garbanzo/organic-raw.html

There are also a few farms who sell wholesale-only, and there are probably some other online retailers that I missed.  But we are really happy with Nuts Online and would order from them again.

[KYdoomer]

I wonder if any of those are viable seed stock.

Thanks for the links.

J

[EmmaPeel]

I get mine from www.somethingbetternaturalfoods.com.  However, we have a coop that orders bulk for freight delivery.  I have not used them for UPS delivery.  Also, we eat ours, I have not tried them as seed stock.

[Sweethearts Mom]

I was just wondering why they seem so expensive? Are they hard to grow?

[EmmaPeel]

I think the price has some to do with what I buy is organic.  Also since they are not as popular as others there is less demand and thus, a higher price.  Organic Kidney Beans are currently $37.50 for 25 lbs.  Garbanzos (organic) are $45.00 for 25 lbs.  Not a huge difference.  But, 25 lbs of regular kidney beans (non-organic) is $32.50.  Something Better doesn't sell non-organic garbanzos. 

[Sweethearts Mom]

I think I am going to try to grow some of these next summer

[otowner98]

I just recently started ordering from the "UNFI" buying club through the local organic food store the next town over.  They have the 25lb bags of Garbanzo beans for $36.41 ($1.46/lb).  According to the guy at the store, a lot of what you find at Whole Foods is comes from there, but you get a huge discount.  I also got a 25lb bag of organic rolled oats for $20.18 ($0.81/lb), which is about 50-60% less than buying it in 50lb bags at Whole Paycheck (hippie store-owners clever name, I can't take credit). 
I access their catalog through the store, but you can get there this way, and find a local ordering/pick-up location:

https://www.unfi.com/Default.aspx