It’s officially fall and peanut harvest is here which means that it’s time to spread the cheer (and protein) with the annual UF/IFAS Peanut Butter Challenge! The annual challenge runs from Oct. 1 through the day before Thanksgiving – Nov. 25.
As many people continue to experience the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased demand for food bank assistance remains. One ever-popular item in food pantries is peanut butter, a nutrient-dense spread made from a crop that’s heavily produced throughout North Florida, including right here in Jefferson County.
Every year UF/IFAS Extension Offices across the Panhandle coordinate the Peanut Butter Challenge involving volunteer groups, clubs, organizations, businesses and schools to donate peanut butter to address hunger and food insecurity in our area. The Florida Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Federation, made up of area farmers, support the Peanut Butter Challenge by matching local donations.
Last year, Jefferson County donated an astounding 1886 pounds of peanut butter which was matched and distributed back into the community through local food banks. This year, we would like to challenge our community to see if we can beat last year’s donations. We would like to challenge local organizations, churches and businesses to see who can collect the most peanut butter. You will not only win bragging rights, but we will have a prize for the organization that collects the most peanut butter!
Organizations can create their own collection box or the Extension Office can provide a collection box. If your organization would like to request a box, please give us a call at (850) 342-0187.
The peanut butter will be measured in pounds and ounces (not jars). Peanut butter collected by organizations should be dropped off to the Extension Office (not a public drop off location) by Nov. 25.
We would also like to encourage the public to participate by dropping peanut butter off at a public drop off location. This year there will be public donation boxes in several locations:
• UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County Office
• R.J. Bailar Jefferson County Public Library
• Capital City Bank
• Piggly Wiggly
We will begin distributing peanut butter after the challenge ends to local food banks in Jefferson County. We have a list of several food banks we plan to distribute to. If your food bank, church, or donating organization would like to help distribute peanut butter to those in need, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Office at (850) 342-0187.
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