By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior Reporter

            More than three tons of peanut butter was collected in Levy County for the annual statewide Peanut Butter Challenge in 2021.

The Levy County Extension Office took top honors among 55 participating counties collecting 7,120 pounds of peanut butter.

            Levy County Commissioners presented a plaque to four Levy County Extension Office employees for their work in coordinating a diverse team of people and groups that collected the peanut butter.

            Kristen Brault, an administrative assistant at the extension office said the real winners were the people who received the peanut butter through the various food pantries in Levy County.

            The goal of the Peanut Butter Challenge was to feed the hungry and promote a Florida homegrown crop. Levy County is the second-largest producer of peanuts in Florida.

            “It was important to get it collected and get it out to those that need it,” Brault said.

            Brault said the Peanut Butter Challenge was started by extension offices in Northeast Florida but the University of Florida’s Institute of Agricultural Food and Sciences coordinates the event.

            The collection of peanut butter usually starts in early October and ends in time to provide peanut butter for the holidays.

            Levy County schools, 4-H clubs, the Master Gardeners, the Florida Farm Bureau, Williston Peanut, and Peanut Proud participated in the event. Farm Bureau, Williston Peanut, and Peanut Proud donated whole pallets of peanut butter.

            “We had collection boxes set up at different points around the county,” Brault said.

            She said the only award the Levy County Extension Office received was a very nice plaque from Levy County Commissioners, but the extension office got bragging rights for collecting the most peanut butter in the state.

            Brault said it was especially rewarding to know the peanut butter was given to people who need the food. Peanut butter is a popular item in food pantries for its nutrient density and shelf stability. And it tastes good.

            In the year 2020, one in 10 Floridians was experiencing food insecurity. The term refers to individuals or families who are having problems getting enough food to eat. The COVID-19 Pandemic worsened the problem.

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Board of County Commission Regular Meeting February 8, 2022; Posted February 18, 2022