Montana is no stranger to leading the way in pulse crop production. As one of the top producers of dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas in the nation, it’s fair to ask: why don’t we have a food festival to celebrate it?
Just across the border in Pullman, Washington, the National Lentil Festival draws thousands each August. Featuring everything from lentil chili served in a giant bowl to chef cook-offs, live music, and ag exhibits, it’s a cultural and culinary event that spotlights one small-but-mighty legume. It also does something else—it brings attention to the growers, processors, and researchers who make pulse crops a viable and vital part of American agriculture.
So what would happen if Montana did something similar? What if we hosted the first-ever Chickpea Festival—right in the heart of our pulse-growing region, just outside Great Falls?
What a Montana Chickpea Festival Might Look Like
Imagine a rural setting—perhaps a working farm or fairgrounds on the golden prairie near Great Falls. There, a community of farmers, chefs, foodies, and families could gather for a one-day or weekend celebration of Montana-grown chickpeas. Attractions might include:
- Chickpea cook-offs and chef demos featuring Montana-grown pulses
- Educational exhibits on soil health, crop rotation, and water conservation
- Local food trucks offering falafel, chickpea tacos, curry, and hummus
- Kid-friendly activities like chickpea planting stations and pulse-themed scavenger hunts
- Farm-to-table meals under the stars
- A panel of Montana growers sharing stories about the harvest
- Live music, artisan markets, and pulse-based brewing and distilling booths
Not only would such a festival be fun and flavorful, it would also create a direct connection between growers and consumers, bridging rural and urban communities in a way that few events can.
Why Montana Is a Natural Fit
Montana farmers have helped put chickpeas on the map. Our climate and rotation-friendly soil conditions make the crop a great fit for sustainable agriculture. Plus, interest in plant-based proteins and regenerative practices continues to grow nationwide. A festival like this would remind everyone—from policymakers to parents packing school lunches—that chickpeas are more than a superfood. They’re a Montana-grown success story.
A Win for Growers and the Industry
An annual Chickpea Festival wouldn’t just be about food. It would provide a unique platform to highlight the value of the Montana Pulse Crop Checkoff Program and promote the investments made by growers through education, marketing, and research. It could attract tourists, food writers, chefs, and even buyers. And most importantly, it would reinforce the idea that Montana’s pulse growers are leaders—not just in yields, but in innovation, sustainability, and community building.
If Pullman can build a festival around lentils, why not Great Falls or another Montana town for chickpeas? The infrastructure is here. The product is here. All we need is a little vision and the community to rally behind it.
A Chickpea Festival in Montana isn’t just a fun idea. It’s an opportunity to shine a light on everything our farmers do—and everything chickpeas represent.
▶ What do you think? Would you attend a Chickpea Festival in Montana—or help organize one? Drop us a line and let us know.
