Released: March 25, 2021

TIFTON, Ga. – To celebrate National Peanut Month and Georgia Ag Week, Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers are donating 10,080 jars of peanut butter to Second Harvest of South Georgia. The donation is made possible by the Georgia Peanut Commission through Peanut Proud, which is the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief organization. Georgia-based truckload carrier, SouthernAG Carriers, graciously donated their truck carrier service to deliver the peanut butter. The peanut butter is manufactured with Georgia grown peanuts by Tara Foods in Albany, Georgia.

“As a farmer, we are proud to continue our partnership with Second Harvest of South Georgia by donating peanut butter which can be used to make more than 141,000 sandwiches,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Peanut butter is one of the most requested food items at food banks due to its shelf life. Peanuts are a nutritional superfood which contain more protein than any other nut, as well as a good source of vitamin E and folate.”

Second Harvest of South Georgia serves 26 South Georgia counties and is the region’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. Headquartered in Valdosta, the organization has locations in Tifton and Thomasville. Through their network of more than 400 partner charities and programs, Second Harvest of South Georgia distributes food to children, seniors and families struggling with hunger.

“We are overwhelmed by the continuing generosity of Georgia’s farming community,” says Eliza McCall, chief marketing officer with Second Harvest of South Georgia. “This donation from the Georgia Peanut Commission will go a long way toward helping us care for our neighbors in need.”

Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and the state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at nearly 53 percent for the 2020 crop. Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.

The non-profit organization, Peanut Proud, Inc., serves as the humanitarian relief organization for the peanut industry. Volunteers participate in food drives to collect peanut butter and donations are made by individuals, organizations and businesses to assist with peanut butter donations to food banks. Donations are accepted at any time for Peanut Proud and are tax-deductible. Contributions can be mailed to: Peanut Proud Inc., P.O. Box 446, Blakely Georgia, 39823. For additional information on the peanut industry’s humanitarian relief project, visit www.peanutproud.org.

Additional information about Second Harvest of South Georgia is available online at www.feedingsga.org and the Georgia Peanut Commission is available at www.gapeanuts.com.

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