RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services notes that March is National Peanut Month. To celebrate, 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 humble peanut. From Virginia’s famous gourmet peanuts to inshells to peanut butter, a diverse variety of products is made from peanuts or uses them as an ingredient. This is mainly due to the important nutritional attributes that peanuts provide. A peanut butter sandwich, so simple to make, is packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, folate and other benefits for the body.
This is the sixth year in a row that Virginia’s peanut growers have donated peanuts to kick off the March celebration. This year the donation increased significantly with a contribution of 7,200 jars 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 during each of the last three years.
“Peanut butter is 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 make 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. 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” said Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks.
— Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services