Peanut producers voted overwhelmingly to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Program, administered by the National Peanut Board (NPB), in a referendum conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from April 15 through May 3, 2019. Ninety-three percent of those who voted said “yes” to continuing NPB’s research, marketing and promotion program.
In order for the continuance referendum to pass, a majority of eligible producers needed to vote in favor of continuing the order. Growers who paid assessments on peanuts produced during the representative period from June 1, 2017 through May 31, 2018, were eligible to vote.
“I am very proud of the work we do at the National Peanut Board; especially in the areas of production research funding, peanut allergy prevention work and our promotion of the great taste and nutritional benefits of peanuts and peanut butter,” said Dan Ward, 2019 chairman of the National Peanut Board and a peanut farmer from North Carolina. “The referendum results are an excellent endorsement of the high-quality of work our board and staff do together.”
The last referendum for peanuts was conducted by USDA in 2014, which is a requirement of The Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.
In the last five years, the National Peanut Board has delivered on its mission of improving the economic condition of U.S. peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research. Some highlights include:
- Peanut per capita consumption is at an all-time high, growing steadily from 7 pounds in 2014 to 7.5 pounds in 2018.
- Among millennials, peanuts have the strongest reputation and are the preferred nut over other nut choices, according to a 2018 National Peanut Board brand tracking study by The Bantam Group.
- Peanut farmers supported the 2015 Learning Early About Peanut study, a game-changer showing early introduction of peanut products to infants helped reduce peanut allergy by 86 percent. This led to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and American Academy of Pediatrics issuing official guidelines for introducing peanut foods to infants to help prevent peanut allergy.
- The National Peanut Board has accelerated its peanut allergy prevention outreach, education and involvement to healthcare professionals and consumers in the last five years. Since 2001, NPB has allocated more than $25 million toward peanut allergy research and education.
- Since its inception, the National Peanut Board has invested a total of $34.5 million toward production research, contributing to significant yield increases and efficiencies for peanut producers. This total includes NPB’s leverage of just $871,500 — of NPB funds and other industry partners’ funds — to obtain over $2 million in National Institute of Food and Agriculture-matching funds for peanut production research.
Source: National Peanut Board