By Grace McAlister Riverbend News
The University of Florida and Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension first began its Peanut Butter Challenge in 2012 to collect jars of peanut butter for local food pantries. Now, the challenge is, once again, spreading statewide.
Unopened jars of peanut butter can be donated to local Extension offices between Friday, Oct. 1, and Wednesday, Nov. 24.
Coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension faculty, staff and volunteers, the competition among counties – for bragging rights only – was conceived as a way to feed hungry families ahead of the holidays in addition to promoting a Florida-grown crop. The peanut, which is produced throughout the northern regions of the state, contributed $119 million to the state economy in 2019, according to the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service.
Peanut butter is an ever-popular item in food pantries for its nutrient density and shelf stability. The project took on new meaning last year, as demand for food bank assistance had increased as an economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest numbers from the United States Department of Agriculture shows food insecurity affected roughly one in 10 Floridians in 2020.
In addition to the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.
In the 2020 Peanut Butter Challenge, the first year the event was conducted statewide, participating UF/IFAS Extension County offices received over 27,000 total pounds of peanut butter.
"We are always impressed and touched by the communities' grassroots support for this program," said Libbie Johnson, agricultural agent for UF/IFAS Extension Escambia County and co-organizer of the challenge since its inception. "The peanut industry is a great contributor to our state, but this event also shows how the nutritious food it produces can help our fellow community members who may be struggling."
Collection sites include:
Suwannee County: (386) 362-2771
Farm Bureau Office, 407 Dowling Ave. S.E., in Live Oak.
Farm Bureau Office, 308 S.W. Drane St., in Branford.
Live Oak Library, 1848 Ohio Ave. S., in Live Oak.
Westwood Christian Church, 920 11th St. S.W.
Lafayette County: (386) 294-1276
176 S.W. Community Cir., in Mayo.
Hamilton County: (386) 792-1276
1143 N.W. U.S. Hwy 41, in Jasper.
To join or partner with collection this year, call your local Extension Office. Follow along on social media, as well, at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/suwannee.