Young child eating peanut butter and jelly sandwich

WHAT IS THE PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE?

The Challenge is simple: Community members donate unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter of any size in a friendly collection competition during the month of October to help combat hunger. Food insecurity has been linked to many negative health outcomes and has grown more widespread in the wake of COVID-19. At the end of the collection period, the jars are tallied, bragging rights are awarded to counties collecting the most peanut butter, and the jars go to local food pantries just in time for the holiday season.

The Peanut Butter Challenge

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Why Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is a nutrient-dense, shelf-stable spread that’s made from a product grown in many areas of Florida. Many of those acres are concentrated in the Panhandle region, where the Peanut Butter Challenge originated in 2012. Did you know Florida ranks 3rd in the U.S. for peanut production?

Peanut butter jars

Where can I donate?

Since spreading statewide in 2020, the drop-off locations have grown to include most counties’ UF/IFAS Extension offices, FAMU Extension, and many partnering community locations. The University of Florida campus has locations that collect for the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field & Fork pantry. Contact your local Extension office for additional locations and information.

Spread the Word

THANKS TO GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE CONTINUES TO GROW!

The 2023 statewide collection totaled 27,769 lbs. of peanut butter filling participating counties’ local food pantries – that’s enough for over 440,000 peanut butter sandwiches! UF/IFAS Extension also thanks the Florida Peanut Federation, Florida Peanut Producers Association and numerous community partners for their support in this annual effort.

WHAT IS THE PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE?

The Peanut Butter Challenge

Why Peanut Butter?

Where can I donate?

THANKS TO GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE PEANUT BUTTER CHALLENGE CONTINUES TO GROW!

UF/IFAS Extension Polk County’s Annual Peanut Butter Challenge

Join the Peanut Butter Challenge

UF Peanut Butter Challenge