World Peas: Spokane's Oldest Pea and Lentil Processor
Spokane Seed Company, established in 1908 as a seed catalog company, has evolved into a prominent pea and lentil processor, shipping nearly half of Spain's lentil consumption annually.
The company's success can be attributed to the region's high-quality legumes and exclusive contracts with notable brands, such as Campbell's, whose split pea soup relies on Spokane Seed Company's produce.
"We had field representatives that would just go and deliver these catalogs," said Andrew Fontaine, president of Spokane Seed Company. "One of those field representatives was my great-grandfather."
Fontaine's great-grandfather acquired the company in the 1930s, a time when wheat dominated the Palouse, but German immigrants were also planting peas and lentils.
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Author's summary: Spokane Seed Company thrives as a pea and lentil processor.