Democrat Senator from Washington, Maria Cantwell, wants the government to help double the production of chickpeas over the next eight years. Cantwell introduced an amendment to bring peas and lentils into the school breakfast and lunch programs.
This would increase funding for research on plants like beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. The scientists that will be conducting the research will be granted $125 million over five years if the initiative passes.
For a while now, chickpeas have been gaining popularity. Acreage in Washington has increased from less than 10,000 in 2000 to 80,000 in 2012. The prime reason for this is the increase in popularity of hummus.
