Peanut Proud makes annual Foodbank donation

In honor of March being National Peanut Month, the Virginia Peanut Board and Virginia Peanut Growers Association are teaming with Peanut Proud to contribute peanut butter to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, a partner state association of Feeding America.

National Peanut Month is an opportunity to recognize the versatility of the peanut. From Virginia’s famous gourmet peanuts to “inshells” to peanut butter, a diverse variety of products are made from peanuts or use them as an ingredient.

This is the third year in a row that Virginia’s peanut growers have contributed pallets to kick off the March celebration. This year the donation increased significantly with a five-pallet (7,200-jar) contribution from Peanut Proud, an industry-sponsored charitable organization that reacts to existing needs, whether for food banks in the peanut growing states or disaster relief.

Peanut Proud was also involved with the Virginia Peanut Growers’ donation a year ago.

“Peanut butter is desperately needed by our food banks,” said Dell Cotton, executive secretary of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association.

“The nutritional benefits of our industry’s most popular product makes it a necessity for the people who are served by food banks. I hope others will follow our lead and contribute much needed food items, including peanut butter, to their local food relief organization.”

“Our friends in the peanut industry continue to step forward every March in honor of National Peanut Month and help stock our food banks with peanut butter,” said Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “We are so grateful for this generous donation that will make a difference in the lives of so many who are struggling to put food on their tables.”