These will get you started. Purcell sells beans for eating, but most of them are viable and will grow.

http://purcellmountainfarms.com/

http://www.sandhillpreservation.com/

http://www.heirlooms.org/

I'd found a local store who carries about 15 to 20 dry beans, including Rancho Gordo beans. I'll go there to take a look. The prices should be good since they are sold as food (specialty beans) and no shipping cost.

The seed packets (1 oz.) are not cheap. But they are sold as seeds. I'll do some germination test after I buy any beans.

I've had good germination with most cooking beans I've purchased at stores. The Rancho Gordo store beans sound very promising...plus you can eat the extras!

I've ordered from Sandhill Preservation listed and linked above. They have a great selection, great prices and $3 shipping. I've been very happy with my orders and seeds from there. As their site indicates, you need to mail in an order form and payment, no online ordering. And you may wait a bit longer for your order at some times of the year since only a few people run the preservation center and their day jobs and harvest and seed processing may come before filling orders.

There is a huge differences between food bean vs. seed beans. But since dry beans can normally be stored for a long time, I believe the germination rate should be still good. Also, I do not have very specific beans I want to grow, but can choose any good ones from my list.

I can spend $4 for one pound of dry beans, or $3 for one ounce of seed beans. Can't compare.

I can say from lots of personal experience that the germination rate on Rancho Gordo beans is excellent, so no worries on that front. Generic grocery store ones usually do ok too, if planted thickly.