Alabama peanut farmers are spreading goodwill and nutrition to food banks across the state with the donation of more than 10,000 jars of creamy goodness to help feed hungry families.

Seven pallets -10,080 jars – of Peanut Proud peanut butter were donated to the Montgomery Area Food Bank (MAFB) May 6 by members of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation.

“This donation means a lot to the people it will serve,” said MAFB Deputy Director Bill Havron. Peanut butter is high in protein and doesn’t require refrigeration. Those facts, along with its delicious taste, make it a favorite commodity for food banks, Havron said.

Peanut farmers say they find satisfaction in growing a crop that’s healthy and delicious.

“It is rewarding to know the peanuts we produce go to make quality peanut butter that helps families in need,” said peanut farmer and Alabama Farmers Federation Southeast Area Vice President George Jeffcoat. “Peanut butter is a tasty, nutritious food packed with protein, which makes it a great product to donate to area food banks. I am proud to be able to give peanut butter and be a part of feeding the hungry.”

While the donation was delivered to the MAFB, the organization’s distribution network will spread the gift to other member agencies in eight locations including Birmingham, Dothan, Mobile, Montgomery, Opelika/Auburn, Selma and Tuscaloosa. MAFB distributes food and household products to member agencies in 35 counties.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association President Carl Sanders said he and other farmers are glad to help fight hunger.

“Alabama’s peanut farmers work hard to provide companies like Peanut Proud with safe, nutritious products it can use in peanut butter,” said Sanders. “Approximately half the peanuts grown in the United States each year are used to make peanut butter, and a bulk of those are grown within a 100-mile radius of Dothan. We’re proud to do our part to give back to the people of our state.”

Similar Peanut Proud donations were made in Albany, Ga., and Tallahassee, Fla.

For more information on the APPA, visit AlPeanuts.com. For information on Peanut Proud’s philanthropy, visit www.peanutproud.com/giving-back.