PORTLAND, ORE. — Franz Bakery is expanding its distribution in Montana with the introduction of its products in Billings.

Franz said its products, including bread, buns, bagels, cookies and pastries will be available at Costco, Albertson’s and Wal-Mart Stores in Billings.

“We’re really excited to expand our offerings in the state of Montana,” said Marc Albers, president and chief operating officer of Franz. “We’ve been using wheat from Montana in our products for more than 25 years, so it was a natural fit for us to increase our presence in Montana to include Billings.”

Franz products already are sold in Missoula, Mont., 340 miles northwest of Billings, which is in the eastern half of the state. Montana is the nation’s fourth largest state with 147,000 square miles. It is the third least densely populated, at 6.5 persons per square mile (versus the national average of 86).

Franz has introduced five new products in recent weeks, including Thinwiches, thin bread for sandwiches or as a bun substitute (available in European classic or whole wheat); Black Butte double fiber bread, an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acid with six grams of fiber per slice; Washington Orchards apple Danish bread, a low-fat breakfast bread with a streusel topping, moist cinnamon spots and real apple; and jelly filled chocolate covered donuts.

Each of the new products is made without high fructose corn syrup, the company said.

The largest independent baking company in the western United States, Franz operates six baking plants and distributes its products in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, northern California and Montana.