In a nutshell, the South Plains Food Bank needs peanut butter. CEO of the SPFB, David Weaver said that the demand for services increases during the winter months.
"Of course peanut butter is a wonderful thing for us to put in our food boxes. It's a great source of protein,” said Weaver.
The food bank is teaming up with the Texas Peanut Producers Board to shell some new numbers. TPPB executive director, Shelly Nutt, said that the goal is to purchase a palette, which is 136 cases of peanut butter.
"We’re asking people to donate money and then we're buying. We got a special deal worked out where we can get peanut butter cheaper and Texas Peanut Producers Board and the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce will go and buy that palette," Nutt said.
When the purse strings tighten, folks trim the family budget by any means possible, usually generating an increased demand for the creamy spread.
"We really noticed those numbers go up when the economy is bad because peanut butter is a meat replacement. When you can't afford steaks and you can't afford hamburger meat you buy peanut butter and that's your protein," Nutt said.
Peanut producers took a hit in 2008 when salmonella was found at an area plant, but as Nutt said, it's back on track.
"We watched the market bottom out on peanut butter and peanuts. The whole industry took a bad rap, even though it was just one manufacturer that really messed things up. The entire industry was hit hard by it. Within about three months, the entire industry joined together and really worked hard to get the message back out that peanuts and peanut butter was very safe, still nutritious, and still good to feed your family. We saw sales just go right back up again within three months,” Nutt said.
With farmers now able to meet an increasing demand, Weaver is just waiting for the generosity of West Texans to sprout.
"As soon as we get that peanut butter, we will start putting it in our food boxes and getting it out to families that need it,” Weaver said.
