TIFTON — March is National Peanut Month, and the Georgia peanut industry kicked off the celebration last week by hosting the 2025 Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta. During the event, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 7,200 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Peanuts and peanut butter were promoted during the event by industry partners serving grilled PB&Js, country-fried peanuts, peanut candy and more, according to a press release from the peanut commission.

Gov. Brian Kemp presented a proclamation recognizing March as National Peanut Month while Sen. Russ Goodman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee, and Rep. Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee presented resolutions recognizing the importance of Georgia’s peanut industry.

“Peanuts are Georgia’s official state crop, and the state boasts the largest share of peanut production in the U.S. at 50 percent for the 2024 crop,” says Joe Boddiford, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “Georgia’s 4,000 peanut farmers contribute approximately $2 billion annually to the state and local economy.”

Sponsors and exhibitors included the Georgia Peanut Commission, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Kroger, Georgia Farm Bureau, National Peanut Board, Peanut Proud, Atlanta Community Food Bank, The Peanut Institute and the University of Georgia Peanut Team.

As part of the celebration, peanut butter valued at $10,000, was presented to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the peanut commission said. The Atlanta Community Food Bank provides food and grocery products to more than 700 community-based, nonprofit partners throughout 29 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

According to Kyle Waide, president & CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, the need for food assistance is not going away. 

“The Food Bank has seen a 60% increase in the need for food assistance over the past three years. We are distributing food in record volumes to 240,000 households each month,” Waide says. “Peanut butter is a protein-rich food that can be a versatile pantry staple for a family or individual in need. We are grateful to the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud for this generous donation that will help serve the 13 percent of the state’s population and 1 in 5 Georgia children who are food insecure.”

Coincidentally, March is also National Nutrition Month, the peanut commission noted. One serving of peanuts is a good source of protein, vitamin E, niacin, folate, phosphorus and magnesium. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

For additional details and photos from the 2025 PB&J Day, visit the Georgia Peanut Commission website at GaPeanuts.com.