It may be a rough year for commodity prices, but the value of peanut butter has rarely been higher than when the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) helped deliver pallets of the food to flood victims in Louisiana last month.

The donation of over 60,000 jars of peanut butter from Peanut Proud Inc. was coordinated by APPA through various disaster relief, nonprofit agencies, including Operation Compassion.

“It wasn’t just peanut butter; they delivered gold,” said David Lorency, Operation Compassion president. “Peanut butter was the No. 1 request from those affected by the flood.”

APPA Vice President Mark Kaiser and board member Joel Sirmon were joined by August Cassebaum and Ray Bertolla, all Baldwin County farmers, to deliver the donations.

“We just felt fortunate we were able to help, and everyone was so thankful and happy to see us,” Kaiser said. “We drove through neighborhoods where both sides of the street were piled with debris as far as you could see. It was devastating, but the people affected were so optimistic.”

The historic August flooding in south Louisiana killed 13 people. Early reports estimated 60,000 homes damaged across 20 parishes.

Louisiana State University’s Ag Center estimated agricultural losses to be at least $110 million, with soybeans the most affected. The state is expected to lose almost half its crop. Reduced pasture and forage losses are estimated at $2 million.

To help Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation (LFBF) members and businesses affected by the flood, the Alfa Foundation recently approved a $5,000 donation.

For more photos of the peanut butter donation, visit the APPA's Facebook page.

To find other ways to help Louisiana farmers, contact LFBF at (225) 922-6200.