Peanut butter is on the list of America's most favorite foods. From athletes to dieters to busy moms preparing school lunches, peanut butter and peanut butter products are a hit. Peanuts generate over 4 billion dollars towards the U. S. economy, with Americans consuming approximately 700 million pounds of peanut butter each year. This high-powered food can reduce the risk of heart disease and peanut butter products are an easy, affordable way to get protein and fiber into the diet. Peanut butter is loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Consumption not only gives you energy but keeps you feeling fuller longer.

Churning out tasty, nutritional peanut butter should be the goal of peanut butter brands everywhere. However, peanut processing is an art. It takes continual practice and, sometimes, even years of experience to produce perfectly roasted nuts and a winning recipe. You can become a leader in the industry if you make sure the following are in place:

1. You understand industry standards and understand the issues surrounding peanut processing.

2. You can identify and adequately address risks associated with peanut butter production.

3. You possess functioning, high quality equipment for peanut processing and peanut butter production.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get information on the peanut and issues surrounding peanut processing

A lot of issues surround the peanut, small though it might be. Peanut butter companies occasionally face contamination issues. Peanut butter education and training is necessary to develop an effective combat plan.

I recommend: Join PTNPA (Peanut and Tree Nut Processing Association) to get industry information through newsletters and notice of seminars and trade shows. You can also get peanut news and information through the American Peanut Council. The Peanut Institute offers updated research, educational materials and recipes. National Peanut Board offers lesson plans for classroom instruction.

Obtain instruction in peanut butter production

Training in peanut butter production can help you identify and better address risks associated with the procedure. Ensure that your business does not fall into the poor food handling trap by creating an environment where employees do not follow food safety regulations.

I recommend: Peanut Butter Lovers gives a run-down on how companies make peanut butter. Get instructions on how to make peanut butter through Pick Your Own. Watch a video on YouTube about making peanut butter.

Locate and attend trade shows and conventions about peanuts and peanut butter products

Trade shows and conventions are a great way to connect with others in the peanut industry. Learn about other products and services while promoting your own and obtain information on the latest, state-of-the-art peanut processing equipment. You can also observe new trends and key in to opportunities to expand your business.

I recommend: Alabama Peanut Producers Association hosts an annual trade show that includes a segment on peanut production education. American Peanut Shellers Association has events for those interested in producing quality peanuts and peanut products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Organic peanut butter producers may want to employ the help of an Organic Certification Specialist to ensure products meet the standard of the organic food industry.
• •  Attending a class on peanut allergies would be beneficial to those involved in peanut butter production.

Peanut butter is as American as apple pie. Estimations indicate that the average American kid consumes a 125 foot high stack of peanut butter sandwiches by the time he reaches age 18. However, it isn't just Americans that like peanut butter. Peanut butter producers also report high sales in Canada, South America, Mexico, Central America, Australia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, The Bahamas, North Africa, The Netherlands, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia.

Peanuts are a legume, not a nut. They are low on the carbohydrate glycemic scale, are high in protein, and contain heart-healthy mono-saturated fats. For health conscious customers, there is also natural peanut butter and organic peanut butter brands. In addition, for those customers with peanut allergies, there is a peanut butter substitute made with soy nuts.

Adding peanut butter sandwiches and other peanut butter products to your menu or store shelves is a great way to increase business. When purchasing peanut butter for your business, consider the following:

1. The health conscious level of your customers

2. How important brand recognition is with your customers

3. What other peanut butter products you can offer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide what peanut butter companies to use

Brand recognition is often important to consumers. Well known peanut butter brands spend millions of dollars on advertising. Let their advertising pay off for your business by stocking your shelves with their products. If you are serving peanut butter sandwiches, put the brand of the peanut butter in your menu to help the sandwich sell.

I recommend: Skippy is a well known brand of peanut butter sold by Unilever since 1933. Jif, sold by The J.M. Smucker Company, is another well known peanut butter brand. They carry a full line including reduced fat and peanut butter with honey.

Stock natural, and other health conscious, peanut butter

The addition of natural peanut butter and organic peanut butter brands to your inventory increases sales. It is also a good idea to offer low fat varieties from organic peanut butter producers. Depending on how health conscious you feel your customers are, consider offering sugar free peanut butter as well as peanut butter with higher levels of omega 3.

I recommend: Smart Balance Inc sells a product called Omega Peanut Butter. Their product has high levels of omega 3 from added flax seed oil. The J.M. Smucker Company sells Adams Natural Peanut Butter and Adams Organic Peanut Butter.

Consider other peanut butter products

In addition to selling jars of peanut butter, or putting peanut butter sandwiches on your menu, you can increase your businesses sales by selling other peanut butter products. Peanut butter sauce is great for use as a topping on ice cream, as well as making peanut butter shakes, smoothies and lattes. Bake your own peanut butter cookies, using the peanut butter sauce, or purchase peanut butter cookies for re-sale.

I recommend: Superior Nut Company Inc. sells peanut butter sauce in 45 pound pails. Frito-Lay North America, Inc. sells Grandma's Peanut Butter cookies. These soft, large cookies are packaged two to a pack for ease of re-sale.

Locate peanut butter wholesalers

To get the best prices on peanut butter, check with wholesalers in your local area.

I recommend: Costco Wholesale Corporation and BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. are both great cash-and-carry wholesale outlets if they exist in your area.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are adding peanut butter sandwiches to your menu, get creative in the choices. In addition to jelly, peanut butter is also paired well in sandwiches with any of the following: marshmallow fluff, raisins, honey, potato chips, bacon, and even mayonnaise.