Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.
During the 2021 Peanut Butter Challenge, Jefferson County residents contributed 1,441 jars (2,237 pounds) of peanut butter to the UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County. Jefferson County collected the most peanut butter of all 16 counties in the northwest district. This phenomenal amount is being matched this week by the Florida Peanut Federation and the Florida Peanut Producer's Association, which will bring the total amount being distributed to needy Jefferson County families to 4,474 pounds.
Distribution began last week, reports Gretchen Thornton, Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at UF/IFAS in Jefferson County. Local food banks have picked up most of the initial 1,441 jars already, but the matching peanut butter contribution will be arriving on Monday, Dec. 27, for distribution through Wednesday, Dec. 29. Interested food banks can contact Thornton directly at (850) 342-0187 to set up a date and time to pick peanut butter up at the UF/IFAS Extension Jefferson County office, 2729 W. Washington.
The Peanut Butter Challenge is an annual collection of peanut butter. This year's campaign started Oct. 1 and concluded the day before Thanksgiving. The donations are largely the result of community support, and all jars are provided to local food banks. The Challenge began in the Panhandle counties in 2012, where most of the state’s peanuts are grown, and went statewide for the first time in 2020. Fifty-three counties, including support from partners at Florida A&M University, joined in the 2021 event.