Every fall UF/IFAS County Extension office’s across the Florida Panhandle take part in a Peanut Butter Challenge to help combat hunger in each county. Peanut butter is collected by the county office, then each ounce collected is matched by the Florida Peanut Producers Association, to double your impact! All peanut butter is then donated to local food banks within your county.

Last year 1,199 jars, totaling 1,248 pounds of peanut butter was collected. The peanut butter collected was donated throughout the county to the Holmes County Food Bank and the Holmes County Ministerial Backpack Program, which provides food for the weekend to children within the county. UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County’s goal this year is to reach 2000 pounds of peanut butter! If you are interested in being a part of the 2017 Peanut Butter Drive please contact our office for more details.

In 2017, Holmes County farmers reported planting 7,642 acres of peanuts, with many of these farming operations being family farms, that span multiple generates (see farm family video here).

While peanuts are grown for a variety of different food and agricultural products, peanut butter is one of the most commonly consumed products, according to the Florida Peanut Producers Association, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of cereal fame) invented a version of peanut butter in 1895. Then it is believed that a St. Louis physician may have developed a version of peanut butter as a protein substitute for his older patients who had poor teeth and couldn’t chew meat. Peanut butter was first introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904.

The Peanut Butter Challenge is a perfect partnership for our county: we can feed those in need while supporting our peanut producers.

Please bring your donation to the UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County office located at 1169 E Hwy 90, Bonifay, FL.

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