UF/IFAS Escambia Extension's annual Peanut Butter Challenge kicks off today, Oct. 1, with donations accepted now through Friday, Nov. 20. Coordinated by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension, the food drive is a friendly competition among Florida counties to support local food pantries throughout the state.

Community members are asked to bring unopened, unexpired peanut butter jars of any size to the following locations in Escambia County:

• Escambia County Administration - 221 Palafox Place, Fourth Floor
• Escambia County Public Safety - 6575 N. "W" St.
• Escambia Extension Office - 3740 Stefani Road
• Cordova Lanes - 2111 Airport Blvd.
• Epps Christian Center - 2300 N. Pace Blvd.
• Farm Bureau Insurance - 153 FL-97
• First Baptist Church of Ferry Pass - 8350 Caminitti Lane
• Holy Spirit Catholic Church - 10650 Gulf Beach Highway
• Molino Library - 6450-A Highway 95A
• Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church - 9945 Hillview Drive
• Perdido Bay Methodist Church - 13660 Innerarity Point Road
• St. Mary Catholic Church - 401 Van Pelt Lane

Escambia Extension ranked in first place throughout the state for total number of jars collected in the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge, with 4,214 jars collected from donations throughout Escambia County. Read more about the 2025 Peanut Butter Challenge here.

"We're excited to participate in this year's Peanut Butter Challenge," Escambia Extension Services Director Nick Simmons said. "Escambia County had incredible support from our community last year, and I hope to bring that same momentum to this year's challenge. We encourage everyone who can to participate and help spread the word about the importance of peanut butter for our local food banks."

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 productions. Peanuts, especially those grown for peanut butter, are a major crop in Florida, contributing $149 million to the state's economy in 2024.

Along with the community donations, the Florida Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Federation, located in the northwest and northeast peanut-producing regions of Florida, will contribute to the totals distributed to food pantries in those regions.

To participate in this year's Peanut Butter Challenge and support local food pantries, contact Escambia Extension at 805-475-5230.

For more information about the Peanut Butter Challenge, visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/peanutbutter.