The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) is celebrating National Peanut Month by donating 10,080 jars of peanut butter through Peanut Proud, the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief organization. Georgia-based truckload carrier, SouthernAG Carriers, graciously donated its truck carrier service to deliver the peanut butter.
“As a farmer, we are proud to begin this partnership with DC Central Kitchen by donating peanut butter which can be used to make more than 141,000 sandwiches,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Peanut butter is one of the most requested food items at food banks due to its shelf life. Peanuts are a nutritional superfood which contain more protein than any other nut, as well as a good source of vitamin E and folate.”
DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is a nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious food where it is most needed.
“We’re grateful for the continued support of the Georgia Peanut Commission as we fight hunger together during this crisis and beyond. While COVID-19 has exacerbated food insecurity and health disparities in our communities, these issues did not begin last March, and they won’t end when the last vaccine is distributed. That’s why DCCK’s commitments to job training, job creation, and building a sustainable food system are so important,” says Mike Curtin, DC Central Kitchen’s CEO. “We appreciate GPC’s engagement with our root cause approach to fighting hunger and look forward to counting them as a partner in our work into the future.”
Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop. The state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at nearly 53% for the 2020 crop. Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.
Additional information about DC Central Kitchen is available online at www.dccentralkitchen.org and the Georgia Peanut Commission is available at www.gapeanuts.com.