Spread the Word: The 2026 Peanut Butter Challenge is Underway!

Throughout October, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Duval County will once again participate in the annual Peanut Butter Challenge, a friendly statewide competition that collects peanut butter donations for local food pantries before the holiday season. For more information, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.

The friendly competition among counties in Florida asks community members to bring jars of peanut butter to their local Extension office by October 31, after which the totals will be counted and bragging rights will be awarded to the counties that collect the most. The donations are then given to local food pantries and other partners in the fight against food insecurity.

“The work that goes into planning a successful donation drive is about more than collecting peanut butter. It’s about building relationships with new partners, creating opportunities for people and organizations to get involved, and raising awareness about the needs within our community. Each new partnership helps us reach more people and, together, make a greater impact for local families,” said Tracy Akers Williams, Extension Marketing Manager.

The UF/IFAS Extension Duval County office, located at 1010 N. McDuff Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32254, will be collecting donations of unopened, unexpired peanut butter jars of any size. Other community partners that have already signed up to accept donations include:

• City Hall, 117 W. Duval St., Employee Services Mezzanine Floor
• Jacksonville Main Library, 303 N. Laura St.
• All other Jacksonville Public Library locations
• Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St., Rose Nettles Public Works, 10th Floor
• Standard Feed and Seed, 1236 Kings Road

In addition to its nutritional value and long shelf life, peanut butter was originally selected as the donation item as a way to highlight Florida’s peanut production. According to the Florida Peanut Growers Association, the economic impact of Florida’s peanut crop is greater than $230 million. Approximately 75% of peanuts produced in Florida are made into peanut butter.

From 2022 through 2025, Duval County collected 6,035 jars of peanut butter totaling 8,055.96 pounds — more than four tons of peanut butter.

Partnerships are also welcomed, including competitions among schools, clubs, office buildings and other organizations. Contact the Duval County office at 904-255-7450 to get connected.

In addition to community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association and Florida Peanut Federation have partnered with the project for years. These organizations are based in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of the state and will again contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.

For more information, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.

About the City of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) serves diverse populations of all ages and abilities through recreation activities and programs, conservation and marine resources, sports and entertainment, senior services, social services, disabled services, and extension services serving more than one million residents in Duval County. PRCS offers over 400 parks and recreational spaces. For more information about the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, visit jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation.

About UF/IFAS

The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries and all Florida residents.

Learn more at ifas.ufl.edu or follow @UF_IFAS.

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