Food Distribution in Western NC following Hurricane Helene
Peanut Grower Associations Donate 30,000 Jars of Peanut Butter for
October 4, 2024 – The North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, The South Carolina Peanut Board, and the Virginia Peanut Growers Association teamed up to deliver 21 pallets/30,000 jars of Peanut Proud Peanut Butter to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for distribution to families impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Peanut Proud Peanut Butter is the peanut industry's humanitarian relief non-profit organization that works to supply peanut butter domestically to food banks, schools, after-school programs, and emergency disaster relief efforts. Various peanut organizations give financially to Peanut Proud, allowing the organization to deliver peanut butter efficiently, utilizing every donated dollar to help those in need.
"Those affected by Hurricane Helene have experienced the unimaginable and have needs that will not be solved quickly. However, their immediate need for nutrition is where we can absolutely play a part in helping," said Ashley Collins, Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association.
Caitlin Joyner, Executive Director for the Virginia Peanut Growers Association, added, "Peanut butter is nonperishable, easy to store, high in protein, and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, making it a staple for food assistance and critical in times disaster relief."
Damage from Hurricane Helene stretched across six peanut-producing states, and for some, the damage directly impacted peanut producers. "While peanut-producing counties in North Carolina were not in Helene's direct path, the western part of our state is experiencing unimaginable devastation. This donation through Peanut Proud is one small way we can help," said Dave Sawyer, President of the North Carolina Peanut Growers Association.
Katherine Helms, Executive Director for the South Carolina Peanut Board, noted that this effort could not be possible without the collaboration of the entire industry, including the trucking companies who donate time, labor, and resources to help transport the peanut butter, and especially in scenarios such as now when transportation logistics can be challenging.
Within a week of Hurricane Helene's landfall, nearly $100,000 has been pledged to support Peanut Proud donations across areas affected, with a combined total of $31,500 from peanut organizations in North and South Carolina and Virginia.
If you would like to help fund the ongoing distribution of peanut butter for disaster relief, donations are accepted online at https://www.peanutproud.org/donations. 100% of your
donation goes directly to purchasing peanut butter for delivery to locations based on need and distribution availability through the Peanut Proud organization.
About North Carolina Peanut Growers Association The North Carolina Peanut Growers Association (NCPGA) represents nearly 650 peanut growers across North Carolina. The state produces 9% of the U.S. peanut crop and ranks third nationally in peanut production. North Carolina is the leading producer of ballpark or gourmet peanuts, also known as the Virigina-market type peanut. In 2023, growers harvested more than 518 million pounds of peanuts from over 120,000 acres. Formed in 1953 as a (501 (c) 6) organization to represent growers through a voluntary assessment of their annual crop to fund marketing efforts to drive demand for the consumption of Virginia-type peanuts, support research that increases producer yields and profitability as well as being an advocate for the peanut producer at the state and national level.
Contact: Ashley Collins – ashley.collins@aboutpeanuts.com – 252-459-5060