CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County Extension, along with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, are collecting peanut butter.
All unopened jars of peanut butter collected now through Nov. 25 at drop-off sites will be donated to local food pantries during Farm-City Week.
In addition, Okaloosa could earn bragging rights for most jars collected.
"We are competing against other peanut-producing counties in the Panhandle for the most jars of peanut butter donated," an event spokesperson said. "Participate and help make Okaloosa a winner."
Crestview area drop-off sites include:
●Okaloosa County Extension Office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 3098 Airport Road in Crestview
●Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 921 W. James Lee Blvd., Crestview
●Natural Resources Conservation Service, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 938 N. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview
Some locations are closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day.
Contact the Okaloosa County Extension, 689-5850, for more information about the Peanut Butter Challenge.
Visit http://peanutbutterlovers.com for peanut butter recipes, health and nutrition information, and to view a video of an Okaloosa County third-generation peanut farmer
●Most peanuts grown in Florida are dried, shelled and processed into peanut butter, roasted nuts, candy or other products.
●Some fresh market peanuts — also referred to as "green" or "boiling" peanuts — are sold this time of year as peanuts are being harvested.
●It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter. The average child will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before he or she graduates high school.
DID YOU KNOW?
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa County peanut butter drive to benefit local food pantries