TPPB helps raise peanut butter for South Plains Food Bank

The Texas Peanut Producers Board, along with the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, raised more than $1,200 to purchase peanut butter to benefit Lubbock and South Plains families through the South Plains Food Bank in their first-ever Lubbock Peanut Butter Drive. 

Sixty-two cases of peanut butter were delivered on a pallet to the South Plains Food Bank. David Weaver, general manager of the South Plains Food Bank, said the donation is vital to the food bank’s ability to respond to the needs of the hungry.

“Peanut butter is one of the basic staple items we want to provide to those who come to the food bank,” said David Weaver, general manager of the South Plains Food Bank. “We are having a difficult time keeping our staple items, including peanut butter, on our shelves.”

Businesses and individuals from across the area donated $20 to purchase a case of peanut butter.

Shelly Nutt, executive director of the Texas Peanut Producers Board, said projects like this directly benefit the producers, the community and the food bank, all at the same time.

“Because 70 percent of Texas peanut production is in this area, Lubbock is directly benefiting financially from the peanut farmers in this area who come here to see doctors, to buy clothes, to eat out and so many other things,” Nutt said. “When we purchase the peanut butter for this drive, we’re helping the peanut farmers who are helping the community financially, and we’re helping the food bank and those in need of nutritious food products.”

“Many people don’t realize that peanuts are grown in this area,” said Eddie McBride, Chamber President and CEO. “Those agricultural dollars translate into business for Lubbock and the region. This is a great way to encourage our members to purchase a product that very well could include West Texas peanuts, and, in turn, helps feed families.”

The connection between the Texas Peanut Producers Board and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce extends beyond the peanut butter drive. Mary Jane Buerkle, Chamber Vice President of Communications, grew up in the peanut industry. Her father, Larry Short from Rochester, Texas, is a long time peanut farmer and former Texas Peanut Producers Board director.

TPPB and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce plan to hold another peanut butter drive at the end of 2010.

Texas Tech Government Internship Program a valuable investment

Educating others about the peanut industry is a major priority when it comes to using state peanut check-off dollars. Teaching our students about government and agricultural policy is one way the Texas Peanut Producers Board can invest in the industry’s future.

Each year, the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB) helps fund the Government Internship Program within Texas Tech University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program was established to help students learn how the U.S. government operates and to give them valuable experience in Washington, DC.

Since the program began in 1999, over 180 Tech students have interned at our nation’s capitol.

Texas Tech 2009 graduate, Laramie Adams, is currently interning this spring with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln.

"Working for the Senate Agriculture Committee with Sen. Lincoln has been very beneficial to me and my future career,” Adams said. “The Committee does a great job of representing the people in our country and, more specifically, in rural areas. Working for the committee has taught me so much about the federal government and the direct impact it has on the agricultural industry."

TPPB Executive Director Shelly Nutt said the program’s value far exceeds the one semester students spend on Capitol Hill.

“This program is important because we can’t assume agriculture will be in good hands in the future,” Nutt said. “These young adults who have agriculture’s best interest in mind could be leading our country someday, and spending a semester in Washington allows them to learn the ropes, and get a foot in the door.”

Many of the program’s participants have made an impact on Washington and agricultural policy. Scott Graves, legislative director to Rep. Mike Conaway, Drew DeBerry, the Texas deputy commissioner of agriculture, and Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates are among the notable alumni who participated in Tech’s Government Internship Program.

March is National Peanut Month

March is National Peanut Month and the Texas Peanut Producers Board (TPPB) is encouraging everyone to celebrate by indulging in one of America’s favorite foods.

TPPB and the Western Peanut Growers Association are teaming up to promote the peanut holiday by sending one pound bags of peanuts to Texas legislators. Texas is the second leading peanut producing state in the country. The peanut industry is worth approximately $1 billion to the Texas economy.

“This is a great month for everyone to implement peanuts into their everyday diets,” said TPPB Executive Director, Shelly Nutt. “Peanuts and peanut products are healthy and easy snacks for kids and adults alike, and they are packed with protein.”

National Peanut Month first began as National Peanut Week in 1941. It was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1974. On average, Americans eat about 6 pounds of peanuts per person per year, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Peanuts have a flavor as big as Texas, but they have more than just great taste going for them. They are packed with 29 essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants, such as vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. They also have more protein than any tree nut and contain monounsaturated fat, the “good fat”, which has been linked to good heart health.

Naturally high in fiber, peanuts are also a good for people with dietary issues like gluten intolerance or diabetes. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.

Peanut oil is also a healthy choice for everyday use because of the high monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat content. With its distinctive but not overpowering taste, peanut oil has a high heat tolerance. It can be heated to a high temperature without smoking, which makes peanut oil a good choice for deep-fat frying and sauteing.

To celebrate National Peanut Month, try out some great tasting new peanut dishes from the Texas Peanut Producers Board.