It’s that time of year again — the Peanut Butter Challenge is back! Hosted by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University (FAMU) Cooperative Extension, this annual effort brings communities together to fight food insecurity one jar at a time. Originally launched in 2012 in Florida’s Panhandle, the challenge has since spread statewide, with local Extension offices collecting unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter for food pantries throughout October. Each pound of peanut butter – or its alternatives – is matched pound for pound by Florida’s peanut associations.
Since 2021, Levy County residents have been a part of this powerful initiative by dropping off donations. In 2025, bring in peanut butter from September 29 – November 24 at the Levy County Extension Office. We don’t like to brag… but with the help of our generous community, Levy County proudly took first place in 2021, collecting over 7,000 pounds of peanut butter for local food pantries.
It was a true team effort — and we’d love to reach (or even beat!) that milestone again. Will you help us spread the word… and the peanut butter?
With strong support from Florida’s peanut industry and local organizations, your small act of giving is truly making a difference!
We know allergies are a real concern — and we’re all about inclusion! That’s why we’re happy to accept alternatives like almond butter and sunflower butter as part of this year’s collection. Every jar helps support local families in need.
Peanut Production Facts
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Did you know that in the Suwannee Valley region alone, over 81,000 acres are dedicated to growing peanuts? That’s a whole lotta legumes!
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Once harvested, about 75% of those peanuts are turned into delicious, creamy (or crunchy!) peanut butter — the star of our annual challenge. The rest become next year’s peanut plants, tasty snacks, sweet candies, and even peanut oil for cooking up something special.
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Peanuts aren’t just tasty — they’re big business! In 2023, Florida’s peanut crop brought in a whopping $137 million to the state’s economy, proving that these humble little nuts pack a mighty punch.
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Behind the scenes, peanut champions like the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA) and the Florida Peanut Federation (FPF) have been longtime partners in giving back. These groups, rooted in the heart of the state’s peanut-producing regions, are once again helping to spread the love by donating thousands of jars to local food pantries across Florida.
To join or partner with Levy County’s collection this year, drop off peanut butter or call us at 352-486-5131 for details. Until next time- Happy Gardening!
Resources
1 IFAS Blogs. Peanut Fun Facts. http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/suwanneeco/2018/06/30/peanut-fun-facts/
2 Florida Agriculture in the Classroom. https://faitc.org/floridas-peanut-industry/
USDA-NASS 2017 Census of Agriculture. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/Florida/st12_2_0025_0025.pdf
National Peanut Board. https://www.nationalpeanutboard.org/peanut-info/
FDACS 2022 Agriculture by the Numbers report https://ccmedia.fdacs.gov/content/download/114369/file/Florida-Ag-by-the-Numbers-2022-Final.pdf
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