It’s sometimes the tiniest things that make the biggest difference. All of us here at UF/IFAS Extension Orange County began the UF/IFAS Extension Peanut Butter Challenge in modest ways, accumulating 817 pounds of peanut butter in 2020. It never occurred to us that this would be a community-wide movement, one that today represents the true spirit of Orange County: coming together, growing together, and giving back.

Now fast-forward to 2024, and the numbers tell a tale of incredible growth:

• 2020: 817 pounds
• 2021: 655 pounds
• 2022: 1,229.6 pounds
• 2023: 2,311 pounds
• 2024: A record-breaking 5,065 pounds—and even two boxes of mac and cheese!

But the numbers are just the tip of the peanut butter jar. This Challenge has evolved beyond UF/IFAS Extension Orange County into a true community-driven effort, involving an incredible lineup of partners who amplified its reach and impact.

A County-Wide Effort

Thanks to the collaborative spirit of Orange County, this year’s Peanut Butter Challenge brought together a powerhouse of organizations:

• Orange County Corrections demonstrated that giving back creates opportunities for everyone.
• Citizens Commission for Children championed the cause through its wide-reaching network.
• Parks and Recreation helped spread the word, engaged local communities, and provided several of their centers around the County to serve as drop-off locations.
• Orange County Farm Bureau, Orange County Public Schools, Orange County FFA, and Orange County 4-H contributed their passion and leadership, particularly among our youth, who played an essential role in collecting and distributing donations.
• This collective effort turned what started as an Extension initiative into a County-wide mission of generosity. All together, we raised enough peanut butter to make a difference in the lives of so many Orange County families.

More Than Just Peanut Butter

While peanut butter may be the hero, the Challenge is so much more than that. It’s about community. It’s about synergy. And it’s about the power of small actions adding up to something extraordinary.

This year, we were able to distribute 5,065 pounds of peanut butter – and those two boxes of mac and cheese! – to 17 food pantries across Orange County. Our amazing Orange County 4-H youth took the lead, delivering peanut butter donations to eight pantries, while our office team made sure the remaining jars reached an additional nine pantries. The donations were distributed amongst all six Districts in the County. These donations are more than food—they are symbols of care, compassion, and connection. From hurricane recovery to everyday hunger relief, the impact of this Challenge is deeply felt by those who receive these items.

A Model for Growth

Success in the Peanut Butter Challenge is not just captured in pounds but also with partnerships. With more individuals, groups, and organizations participating every year, we know that awareness and involvement increase as well. This year, the collaboration of the following organizations made all the difference:

• Freedom Middle School and Arbor Ridge School energized students and staff to give back.
• Orange County 4-H and Orange County FFA provided leadership and inspiration, ensuring youth were at the forefront of this collection.
• Orange County Farm Bureau underscored the importance of agricultural education and advocacy.
• Citizens’ Commission for Children and Parks and Recreation brought additional resources and enthusiasm to the table.
• Orange County Corrections exemplified the power of rehabilitation and community service.

These partnerships demonstrate the unique ability of our community to rally together for a cause that truly matters.

Looking Ahead

And as we celebrate this year’s new record, we are also looking ahead to 2025. The Peanut Butter Challenge has taught us what can be accomplished when a community comes together for a common purpose. But it also reminds us that there’s always more to be done.

Next year, we want to get even further — not only in pounds raised but in partnerships established and lives reached. Together, we can keep channeling the momentum and unity of this excellent effort so we can reach more of the people in Orange County who need it.

Thank You, Orange County

To everyone who contributed, supported, or spread the word: thank you. Your efforts, be they a single jar or truckload, have made a difference. And to the youth and organizations who went above and beyond, you are a great inspiration.

Let’s continue the momentum and make the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge bigger and better. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are feeding hope.

Let’s spread the word—and the peanut butter!

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