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TIFTON, Ga. (May 20, 2021) – The Georgia Peanut Commission and its 4,500 farmers are celebrating the start of peanut season with a generous peanut butter donation.
Though a partnership with the Georgia Food Bank Association, farmers are donating an additional 50,400 jars of peanut butter to America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Feeding the Valley Food Bank, the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, Golden Harvest Food Bank, and Middle Georgia Community Food Bank. This followed a donation of 20,160 jars of peanut butter that was distributed to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Second Harvest of South Georgia in March.
The donation is made possible by the Georgia Peanut Commission through Peanut Proud, the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief organization.
“As a farmer, we are proud to partner with Georgia food banks to help feed more of our neighbors in need during this time of uncertainty for many families,” 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.”
Georgia Food Banks
The Georgia Food Bank Association is comprised of seven Feeding America affiliated food banks that serve 133 counties in Georgia. Their network of food banks distributed over 180 million pounds of food in 2020 through more than 2,000 partner agencies to children, seniors, and families struggling with hunger.
Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and 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.