Georgia spreads the love for peanut butter to kick off Peanut Month

TIFTON — March is National Peanut Month, a time to celebrate one of America’s favorite foods. The Georgia peanut industry kicked off the celebration this week by hosting the 2024 Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta. During the event, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 10,080 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Peanuts and peanut butter were promoted during the event by industry partners serving grilled PB&Js, country-fried peanuts, peanut candy and more. Gov. Brian Kemp presented a proclamation recognizing March as National Peanut Month, while Sen. Russ Goodman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, presented resolutions recognizing the importance of Georgia’s peanut industry.

“Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and the state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at nearly 53% for the 2023 crop,” Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, said. “Georgia’s 3,700 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.”

Sponsors and exhibitors include the Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Kroger, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Federal-State Inspection Service, National Peanut Board, Peanut Proud, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Premium Peanut and the University of Georgia Peanut Team.

As part of the celebration, peanut butter valued at $10,000, was presented to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The food bank provides food and grocery products to nearly 700 community-based, nonprofit partner agencies with hunger relief programs throughout 29 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia. According to Ben Burgess, corporate relations manager with the food bank, the need for food assistance is not going away.

“A recent study of our service area showed that an average of 200,000 food insecure households are served each month through the Atlanta Community Food Bank partner agency network,” Burgess said. “Peanut butter is a very nutritious and important product to those clients because it has a stable shelf life. One jar can make several meals for a family or individual in need. This donation will help the 10% of Georgia residents and the one in eight children who are food insecure in the state.”

Coincidentally, March is National Nutrition Month — a great time to recognize the nutritional value of peanuts. One serving of peanuts is a good source of protein, vitamin E, niacin, folate, phosphorus and magnesium. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

File Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]