TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) was part of an event last week that celebrated March as National Peanut Month.
The Georgia peanut industry hosted the 2023 Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta last week. During the event, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 10,080 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
“Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and the state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at nearly 52% for the 2022 crop,” says Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Georgia’s 4,000 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.”
Event Specifics
Sponsors and exhibitors include the Georgia Peanut Commission, Kroger, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau, Peanut Proud, Atlanta Community Food Bank and the University of Georgia Peanut Team.
Peanut butter valued at $10,000, was presented to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, which provides food and grocery products to more than 700 nonprofit partner agencies with hunger relief programs throughout 29 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.
“A recent study of our service area showed that an average of 200,000 food insecure households are served each month through the Atlanta Community Food Bank partner agency network. Peanut butter is a very nutritious and important product to those clients because it has a stable shelf life,” said Ben Burgess, corporate manager with the food bank. “One jar can make several meals for a family or individual in need. This donation will help the nearly 10% of Georgian residents and the one in seven children who are food insecure in the state.”
Peanuts and peanut butter were promoted during the event by industry partners serving grilled PB&Js, country-fried peanuts, peanut candy and more. Governor Brian Kemp presented a proclamation recognizing March as National Peanut Month while Sen. Russ Goodman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, presented resolutions recognizing the importance of Georgia’s peanut industry.
For additional details and photos from the 2023 PB&J Day, visit the Georgia Peanut Commission website at www.gapeanuts.com.