Farmers Spreading Love, Helping To Reduce Hunger
Alabama peanut farmers are spreading love and reducing hunger in Alabama by donating peanut butter to area food banks in Dothan, Montgomery and Mobile.
Members of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA), with the help of the nonprofit group Peanut Proud, donated nearly 4,000 jars of peanut butter to the Montgomery Area Food Bank Nov. 3. That’s enough to make about 70,000 sandwiches and a great way to highlight November as National Peanut Butter Lovers Month, said APPA Executive Director Caleb Bristow.
“Peanut butter is a staple in most homes,” Bristow said. “It is found in over 94 percent of American households, is nutritious, high in protein and doesn’t require refrigeration, making it perfect for needy families who might not have the resources to store or cook a meal.”
Montgomery Area Food Bank Executive Director Parke Hinman said plans are underway to distribute the donated peanut butter among 35 counties the food bank serves.
“I can tell you this donation is going to go like hot cakes,” Hinman said. “Peanut butter is very popular, and this donation couldn’t have come at a better time. We will quickly get it into the hands of people who need it and want it.”
Hinman said the peanut butter donation in Montgomery would likely last less than a week.
“The great thing about peanut butter is that it’s a food people want and like to eat,” Hinman said. “You can make a sandwich with it or just eat it with your fingers.”
An identical donation from APPA and Peanut Proud was made to the Bay Area Food Bank in Theodore Nov. 2, and the group donated 2,880 jars to the Wiregrass Area United Way Food Bank in Dothan Oct. 30.
Peanut Proud was created to assist humanitarian relief efforts and is funded by peanut growers, including 1,200 Alabama farmers, Bristow said. The organization recently shipped 26,000 jars of peanut butter to flood victims in South Carolina.
APPA President Carl Sanders, a Coffee County farmer, said donating peanut butter to help needy families is something he and other farmers feel good about.
“We, as farmers, are proud to grow a crop we know can help feed hungry people,” said Sanders. “We grow a very wholesome, nutritional product, and we’re honored to be able to help people.”
Southern Ag Carriers of Albany, Georgia, delivered the peanut butter to the food banks.
For photos of the donations in Montgomery, Dothan and Theodore, visit the Alabama Peanut Producers Facebook page.