MAY 20, 2024 – ATLANTA, GA – Peanut producers voted overwhelmingly to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Program, administered by the National Peanut Board (NPB), in a referendum conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from April 8-19, 2024. Results show that 93.23% of voting farmers said “yes” to continuing NPB’s research, marketing and promotion program.
“We accomplished almost every goal in our strategic plan, including reaching record-high per capita consumption of 7.8 pounds in 2022, growing peanut love among millennial and Gen Z consumers, and making peanut production more sustainable,” said NPB President and CEO Ryan Lepicier. “This resounding approval encourages us to continue working as hard as we can to drive impact for America’s peanut farmers and their families.”
For the continuance referendum to pass, a simple majority of eligible producers needed to vote in favor of continuing the Order. Growers who paid assessments on peanuts produced during the representative period from Jan. 1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022, were eligible to vote.
“I am extremely proud of the work NPB does as a whole but especially proud of our work in the areas of production research and peanut allergy prevention,” said Greg Baltz, 2024 NPB chairman and a peanut farmer from Arkansas. “It’s great to see that USA peanut farmers see the exceptional work that the Board does promoting our sustainable, nutritious peanuts.”
The last referendum for peanuts was conducted by USDA in 2019, which is a requirement of The Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996.
In the last five years, NPB has delivered on its mission of improving the economic condition of USA peanut farmers and their families through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research. Some highlights include:
- Peanut per capita consumption grew to an all-time high, growing steadily from 7.4 pounds in 2019 to 7.8 pounds in 2022.
- Among millennials, peanuts have the strongest reputation and are the preferred nut over other nut choices, according to a 2023 National Peanut Board Brand Tracking Study by The Bantam Group.
- Since 2001, America’s peanut farmers have invested more than $36 million to help address peanut allergies. In 2020, for the first time the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2020-2025) stated, “Introducing peanut-containing foods in the first year reduces the risk that an infant will develop a food allergy to peanuts.” Additionally, two new allergy treatments are available. In January 2020, the first ever FDA-approved treatment for peanut allergy became available in Palforzia. Then, in February 2024, the FDA approved Xolair (omalizumab) to be used for reducing allergic reactions to multiple foods including peanut after accidental exposure.
- Since its inception, the National Peanut Board has invested a total of $48.5 million toward production research, contributing to significant yield increases and efficiencies for peanut producers. This total includes NPB’s leverage of over $1.9 million of NPB funds and other industry partners’ funds to receive over $4.2 million in matching funds for peanut production research from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. You can find a list of the projects we’re funding on our production resource database.
Contact: Lauren Highfill Williams
Phone: 678.424.5745
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The National Peanut Board’s mission is to improve the economic condition of USA peanut farmers and their families. Through compelling promotion and groundbreaking research, the Board is finding new ways to enhance production and increase consumer demand by promoting the great taste, nutrition and culinary versatility of USA-grown peanuts.