Released: July 16, 2026

TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission announces a new award and cash prize for food entrepreneurs: The Georgia Peanut Innovation Award will recognize and reward the most unique and viable new product concept inspired by Georgia Peanuts. The $10,000 cash prize will be awarded at the Sunbelt Ag Expo on Oct. 22, 2026. The contest is open to any new and unique application of peanuts, whether the product idea is in the prototype phase or has been on the market for less than a year. While the product must be food-related, it can be intended for either human or animal consumption.

“Peanuts have always been unique,” remarks Taylor Arnold, executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “They’re one of the most affordable sources of protein and they conserve water, improve soil health and are a zero-waste plant, making them perfectly suited for the future. It’s only fitting they also should inspire some unique ideas when it comes to new products.”

Peanut product innovators can enter the contest by visiting gapeanuts.com and filling out an official entry form. Entries must be submitted by August 20, 2026. After an internal evaluation, five finalists will be presented to a panel of business professionals from the fields of agriculture, finance, education, retail and product/recipe development.

The award and $10,000 cash prize will be presented to the winner by Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Donald Chase, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, Oct. 22, 2026, in Moultrie, Georgia.

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