OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — The 14th annual Peanut Butter Challenge begins Sept. 29, giving Floridians the chance to donate jars of peanut butter to help feed families across the state.
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Donations of new, sealed, unexpired jars will be accepted at local UF/IFAS Extension offices through Nov. 26. The program is organized by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida A&M, with support from the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA), the Florida Peanut Federation (FPF), and community partners.
In Okaloosa County, donations may be dropped off at:
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UF/IFAS Extension Office, 3098 Airport Road in Crestview, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Office, located at 921 West James Lee Blvd. (Highway 90) in Crestview, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The Okaloosa County Administrative Building, located at 1250 Eglin Parkway in Shalimar, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last year, hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton strained food pantries, leading to an outpouring of support from Floridians. A total of 39,898 pounds of peanut butter was donated in 2024, representing a 14,201-pound increase over the previous year.
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Forty counties participated, with Orange County setting a record by collecting 5,065 pounds.
“I think that the energy from the county Extension offices has definitely ramped up,” said Kevin Camm, director of UF/IFAS Extension Orange County.
“I definitely think (statewide) we will be well above 40,000 pounds – quite possibly 45,000 pounds.”
Mr Camm added that the challenge is about more than numbers.
“At the end of the day, every jar collected means a family has food on the shelf that is nutritious to eat,” he said. “That is the real impact of this collaborative effort.”
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The Peanut Butter Challenge was launched in 2012 by Panhandle Extension offices and expanded statewide in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Matching donations from the FPPA and FPF have helped grow the program year after year.
Peanuts are a major crop in Florida, with 550 million pounds produced in 2024, a five percent increase over 2023. According to the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, peanuts contributed more than $137 million to the state’s economy.
“Peanut butter is more than a staple — it’s a symbol of nourishment, comfort, and hope,” said Laura Goss, executive director of the FPF.
“At the Florida Peanut Federation, we are proud to support this annual challenge because we believe no child should go to bed hungry when we grow one of the most nutritious and shelf-stable foods right here in Florida. We commend the Extension offices, volunteer,s and community members who turn compassion into action by helping fuel a future, one jar at a time.”
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For more information about statewide drop-off locations and participation, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.
