August 5, 2024 (Alexandria, Va.)—The U.S. peanut industry today donated more than 15 tons of peanut butter to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Contributions came from the American Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES), the American Peanut Council’s Peanut Butter for the Hungry, and Peanut Proud. In total, the organizations donated 21 pallets (30,240 one-pound jars) of peanut butter. The donation was made as part of the 56th APRES Annual Meeting, which took place July 9-11 in Oklahoma City.
“Peanut butter is one of the most requested items by food banks in the U.S. because it’s shelf stable and protein packed, plus kids and adults love it,” said Darlene Cowart, chair of the APRES public relations committee and vice president of food safety and quality at Birdsong Peanuts. “The peanut industry feels it’s important to give back to communities that bring us together, such as Oklahoma City for the recent APRES meeting, so we are excited to make this donation to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to help those who are most vulnerable.”
Founded in 1980, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma distributes food through a network of more than 1,300 community-based partner agencies and schools in 53 counties in central and western Oklahoma. The Regional Food Bank not only distributes food, but it is also a leader in educating the public on hunger, advocating for those living with hunger and providing access to additional resources.
“Not only is peanut butter an incredible source of protein for Oklahoma families in need of food assistance, but it is also one of our most requested items,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. “We are so thankful to the American Peanut Research and Education Society, Peanut Butter for the Hungry, and Peanut Proud for this generous donation.”
Managed by the American Peanut Council, the Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES) is a professional society that promotes scientific research on the properties, production and use of the peanut by providing forums, treatises, magazines and other forms of educational material for the publication and dissemination of scientific information and research papers.
The American Peanut Council’s Peanut Butter for the Hungry is an initiative of the U.S. peanut industry (including growers, shellers, manufacturers and allied industry members) to provide shelf stable, protein rich peanut butter to food banks throughout the U.S., as well as support the production and delivery of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to food insecure countries in the developing world.
Peanut Proud partners with state grower organizations to supply peanuts and peanut butter to U.S. food banks and school programs. The organization also donates peanut products to areas affected by natural disasters, as well as supports RUTF production.
