GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Buying groceries for the week? Consider picking up an extra jar of peanut butter for UF/IFAS Extension’s 2023 Peanut Butter Challenge.

Every year, counties across Florida compete to donate the most peanut butter to combat food insecurity. Throughout the month of October, community members can bring their donations to their local UF/IFAS Extension or FAMU Cooperative Extension office to support their county. After Halloween, Oct. 31, the total donations will be counted and sent to local food pantries or backpack programs, and bragging rights will be awarded to the winning counties.

Peanut butter isn’t a big ask – the smallest jars cost around $3 – but it’s nutrient-dense and easy to incorporate into a balanced meal, making it a great item for food pantries, according to Karla Shelnutt, associate dean for Extension engagement and director of the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program.

“Even though a jar of peanut butter is a small request, it means so much to the families facing food insecurity to know their community is supporting them,” said Shelnutt.

The Peanut Butter Challenge originated in the Panhandle counties in 2012, where many of Florida’s peanut farms are located. In 2020, peanut farms contributed $114 million to Florida’s economy. According to UF/IFAS, 75% of those peanuts become peanut butter. Florida ranks third in the U.S. for peanut production.

The challenge spread statewide in 2020, following an increase in food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, several UF/IFAS Extension offices in the 352 area have confirmed their participation in the challenge, including Alachua, Citrus, Hernando and Levy counties. A full list of participants can be viewed here.

Last year, counties across the state teamed up to donate a total of 19,653 jars of peanut butter or 27,258 pounds: enough for over 400,000 peanut butter sandwiches. Hernando County ranked second in the state during the 2022 Peanut Butter Challenge with 2,238 pounds of peanut butter. They narrowly lost the top spot to Santa Rosa County by a couple hundred pounds.

Want to donate and lead your county to the victory this year? Check out the UF/IFAS Extension map to find your local donation centers. Learn more about the Peanut Butter Challenge here.