New Peanuts Through the Seasons Toolkit for Retail Dietitians

Looking for new ways to inspire shoppers to use peanuts or peanut butter throughout the year? Learn more from National Peanut Board’s free Peanuts Through the Seasons toolkit for retail registered dietitians. Not only does this resource include recipes perfect for every season of the year, this toolkit includes educational information, social media ideas, ideas for in-store activations, and more to educate your shoppers.  

Download the free toolkit here (PDF) or view the online version below.
 
 
 
Peanuts, peanut butter, and other peanut products are staples in households across America. In fact, some research reveals that more than 90% of households have at least one jar of peanut butter in the pantry! These foods are versatile, shelf-stable, economically friendly, and add protein, fiber, vitamins and other nutrients to everyday recipes. The National Peanut Board created this toolkit as a resource to help you guide shoppers as they navigate their dietary goals. Use these peanut-centric tools — information, recipes, social media ideas, suggested activities, and more — to educate your shoppers about everything that makes peanuts so great.
 
Because peanuts are versatile enough to shine throughout the year, the toolkit includes suggestions for ways you can celebrate peanuts in every season! We hope you find these resources helpful as you educate and inform your shoppers throughout the year.
 
Thank you,
 
National Peanut Board


 

 
With the weather warming up, people are heading outside, planting gardens, and soaking up sunshine. Spring provides ample opportunities to share more information on how peanuts play a role in plant-based eating and sustainable practices within peanut farming — just in time for Earth Day!
 

Spring into Healthy Choices with Peanuts

Looking ahead to Earth Day, peanuts play a big role in plant-based eating as they are a source of plant-based protein (1). Plant-based diets may help Americans create a healthier lifestyle and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes (2). Consumers have also been increasingly interested in incorporating more plant-based eating into their diets (3).
 
Encourage shoppers to eat more plant-based meals by teaching them how they can incorporate
delicious and affordable peanuts into all kinds of recipes. One ounce of peanuts has 7 grams of
protein and 2 grams of fiber, and both can help people stay full longer. Adding peanuts to plant-forward dishes can help make them more flavorful and satisfying! Peanuts are versatile and easily fit into every meal of the day. They are also a staple in many different cuisines, allowing for a variety of global flavor combinations.
 
1. Plant Based Protein. Dietary Guidelines. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. Accessed January 12, 2023.
2. Plant Based Diets. US Department of Agriculture and US Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed January 12, 2023.
3. International Food Information Council. 2022 Food & Health Survey. 18 May 2022. Accessed January 18, 2023.
 Spring recipesPhoto: Thai Quinoa Salad with Ginger Peanut Butter Dressing


Spring Vegetable Medley with Peanuts
Celebrate spring with a variety of vegetables like fresh green beans, asparagus, and green peas!
This recipe is an excellent way to introduce shoppers to the idea of eating what's in season.
 
Thai Quinoa Salad with Ginger Peanut Butter Dressing
Your shoppers will want to use this dressing on everything! Serve it with crisp and bright
vegetables for the perfect spring salad.
 
For Baby: Peanut Butter Green Smoothie Popsicles
This is an easy way to introduce peanut-containing foods to baby while soothing teething gums!
These peanut butter green smoothie popsicles are perfect for self-feeding, too.
 
Very Vegan Peanut Butter Jackfruit Chili
Encourage your shoppers to try something new! Canned jackfruit has a shredded-meat consistency and when combined with peanut butter, it makes for a hearty meal that everyone will enjoy.
 
Chocolate Peanut Butter Hummus
Perfect for a picnic or party, this nutritious, sweet dip will be a hit with both kids and adults.
 
Trout with Peanut Lemon-Butter Sauce
Shoppers who are eating more fish this season will enjoy this peanutty take on trout almondine.
 

Peanuts - the sustainable nut!
 

Just in Time for Earth Day on April 22nd

Peanut planting season starts in spring with farmers anticipating the perfect temperature to plant their crops. Peanuts have one of the smallest carbon footprints of any nut. They are a drought-resistant crop that grows underground and most peanut fields are non-irrigated, relying on rainwater. Peanuts use a fraction of the water compared to other nuts to produce one ounce of edible yield, further contributing to their sustainability. Peanuts are also nitrogen fixing, which means the plant takes nitrogen from the air and turns it into food. Because of that, peanut plants don’t need extra fertilizer and can rely on the nutrition left by previous crops. Farmers utilize peanuts as a rotation crop because peanuts add nutrients to the soil, supporting healthier crops during the next growing season. In addition, all parts of the peanut plant can be used, so nothing goes to waste.
 
water usage graphic
 

Ways to Celebrate Spring in Store

  • Host a sample table with innovative recipes, like the chocolate peanut butter hummus dip, to inspire new ideas for healthy snacks.
  • Encourage your shoppers to try a new outdoor activity on Earth Day and bring a peanut-centered snack with them — you could even share a recipe for homemade GORP (Good Old Raisins and Peanuts)!
  • Celebrate National Nutrition Month™ with coupons and recipe cards
  • featuring peanuts.
 

Social Media Ideas and Captions


 Social Media links:   
Summer
As summer kicks off and your shoppers start to look forward to vacations and other outdoor activities, peanuts are an easy and nutritious addition to fast snacks, nourishing meals, and on-the-go solutions! As for peanut harvesting, the plants are currently in their growing season. Starting as a seed, peanut plants take 140-150 days to mature. This season, we’ve outlined more information on peanuts and skin health, snack and travel ideas, and back-to-school lunch planning resources (because the end of summer means the beginning of school).
 


Summer recipesPhoto: Charred Corn Slaw With Peanut Butter Lime Dressing

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Share a new take on the traditional PB&J flavors with these grab-and-go breakfast overnight oats that help make your shoppers’ mornings easier.

Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies
Perfect for snacks on-the-go, these breakfast cookies are delicious and can be customized with your shoppers’ favorite flavors!

Strawberry Honey-Peanut Salad
Summer is strawberry season! What better way to use this favorite fruit than combining it with greens and peanuts for a salty-sweet, crisp salad your shoppers are sure to love?

Charred Corn Slaw With Peanut Butter Lime Dressing
This is a great side dish for your shoppers to try on taco night or at any summer cookout!

Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Peanut Butter Dip
Your shoppers can enjoy fresh fruit with a tasty side of yogurt peanut butter dip after summer activities to feel refreshed! This is the perfect kid-friendly dish.

Spicy Peanut Grilled Chicken Kebabs
Fire up the grill! These grilled chicken kebabs have a kick of heat to match the hottest of summer days.
 

Peanuts Promoting Healthy Skin this Summer

Summer is often focused on skin health as families pack on sunscreen to avoid sunburn and heat rash. Did you know that nutrients in peanuts can play a role in boosting skin health? Vitamin E can help reduce the build-up of free radicals from the sun. Free radicals speed up conditions related to the aging process (4,5). Two tablespoons of peanut butter provide 9% of the DV of Vitamin E (6).
 
4. Antioxidants. Medline Plus. https://medlineplus.gov/antioxidants.html. Updated January 12, 2017. Accessed April 6, 2017.
5. Antioxidants: In Depth. National Institutes of Health: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htm.
Updated May 4, 2016. Accessed April 6, 2017.
6. Vitamin E. National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-HealthProfessional/#h3. Updated November 3, 2016.
Accessed April 6, 2017.
 

How Peanuts Fit into Back-To-School Planning

 
Peanuts are a budget-friendly, protein-forward ingredient perfect for kid-friendly snacks and meals. Peanuts and peanut butter also contain potassium, which is important for kids as they grow. Moreover, peanuts and peanut butter fit in with all the flavor combinations that can be incorporated into a snack. Pair a peanut butter dip with fresh vegetables and fruit, mix peanuts and chocolate for a salty-sweet snack, or come up with your own peanut pairing. The shelf stability of peanuts and peanut butter makes it easy to take these snacks on the go as families bounce between school, extracurricular activities, and other daily routines.
 

snacks and school lunches with peanuts or peanut butter
 

Ways to Celebrate Summer in Store

  • Provide samples of new recipes for smoothies, popsicles and homemade ice cream that can help your shoppers stay cool.
  • Plan a grocery store tour highlighting the seasonal fruits and vegetables and share a variety of recipes to show how they might pair with the flavor of peanuts.
  • Encourage your shoppers to take their cooking outdoors and fire up the grill with new, fun peanut recipes and marinades
 

Social Media Ideas and Captions

summer social media ideas and captions
Social Media Links:   
Fall
Fall includes the back-to-school season, as well as cherished holidays like Dia de los Muertos, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
 
It is also peanut harvest season! American Diabetes Awareness Month® is observed in November. Peanuts play an important role in our fall traditions from PB&J in school lunches to favorite Halloween candies and delicious and nutritious autumn flavors.
 

Fall recipesPhoto: Farro and Peanut Stuffed Pumpkins

Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
This is a naturally sweet and easy treat that’s perfect for shoppers’ on-the-go snacking.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Curry
Nothing says “fall” like pumpkin! Put a twist on a classic curry with peanut butter and pumpkin and help your shoppers impress their friends at their next dinner party.

Peanut Butter Apple Oatmeal Muffins
Shoppers can start their mornings off right with a filling and tasty breakfast muffin that features favorite fall ingredients.

Air Fried Spice Rubbed Turkey Breast
This is a great recipe for your shoppers who are air-fryer devotees! The refined peanut oil has a high smoke point with neutral flavor and is perfect for high-heat cooking, which will help produce a crisp, browned skin!

Farro and Peanut Stuffed Pumpkins
Move over, stuffed peppers. It’s time for stuffed pumpkins! This delicious meal is simple to make and even better to eat.

american diabetes month
American Diabetes Awareness Month links:  

Fall is Peanut Harvesting Season

 
Fall is a very important time for peanuts — it’s when peanuts are harvested from the farm and begin their journey to your table! Here are some fun facts about the magic of peanut harvest season that few people know:
  1. Peanuts don’t grow on trees… or bushes, for that matter. They’re legumes that grow underneath the soil.
  2. Harvesting peanuts is a two-step process. First, a farmer drives a machine called a digger along the peanut rows. The digger pulls the peanuts from under the ground, flips the whole plant upside down and sets it back down on the row. Here, the peanuts dry for a few days, and then the farmer uses another machine called a shaker or a picker to separate the peanut pods from the rest of the plant.
  3. Peanut harvest starts along the Southeastern U.S. in September and October and can continue until November as far west as New Mexico and Oklahoma. Peanuts have a relatively long growing season compared to many other crops, taking 140-150 days to mature before they’re ready for harvest.
  4. Most peanuts aren’t sold to consumers straight from the farm (although boiled green peanuts are a true delicacy). After harvest, they are taken to a peanut buying point to be sold. Here, they are graded, tested, and cleaned before being stored.
  5. U.S. farmers can produce a lot of peanuts per acre. In 2015, farmers harvested about 4,000 pounds of peanuts per acre (8) and overall, the U.S. is the world’s fourth largest producer of peanuts (9). Investments in research and responsible growing practices help peanut farmers keep their yields high.
 
7. Diabetes in America. Center for Disease Control. Accessed on January 12, 2023.
8. National Peanut Board. 5 Things You Don’t Know About Harvesting Peanuts. Accessed January 12, 2023.
9. National Peanut Board. Peanut Country, U.S.A. Accessed January 18, 2023.

seasonal landscape fall
 

Promoting Daily Peanut Intake

Help your shoppers figure out what to eat during the week! On the next page, you will find different suggestions your shoppers can follow for including peanuts in their meals at some point in their day. This plant-forward guide will give them the needed protein to keep them satisfied for a longer period of time.
 
Have you ever wondered, what is the benefit of eating peanuts every day? Scientific evidence suggests, but does not prove, that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, including peanuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.
 
Below you will find great options for peanut recipes to add to your menu. Each day is balanced with a variety of delicious recipes including plant-based and animal protein. Each of the recipes can be modified to suit your shopper’s needs, e.g., if they are vegan the chicken from the Honey Harvest Salad can be swapped for roasted peanuts. You will be directed to each recipe by clicking the links in the meal plan table.
 
Peanuts are delicious, affordable and tasty! Let’s see how you can help your shoppers incorporate them into their meals for a healthy variety of nutritious peanut-powered protein.
 

Meal Planning grid
Meal Planning
 

Social Media Ideas and Captions


Fall social media

Social Media Links:
Winter
It’s time to get cozy and curl up by the fire with some seasonal peanut pairings! This chilly season presents plenty of opportunities to celebrate the benefits of peanuts and peanut products. From the holidays to American Heart Month in February, National Nutrition Month® in March and National Peanut Butters Lover’s Day on March 1st — there is a peanut recipe for every occasion!
 

Winter recipesPhoto: Oven-Roasted Winter Vegetables

Oven-Roasted Winter Vegetables
This is a tasty side dish that can help shoppers incorporate more seasonal vegetables! Share this recipe alongside a recipe for turkey or ham to give shoppers an easy addition to their holiday meal with a show-stopping veggie side.

West African Peanut Stew
This hearty stew brings flavor and healthy ingredients like spinach, sweet potatoes and peanuts to the family table. It’s perfect anytime but can be an especially satisfying homemade meal on cold winter days.

Sweet and Spicy Peanut Trail Mix
Encourage your shoppers to add this spicy treat to their holiday charcuterie boards or suggest they have it as a flavorful and nourishing snack to help fuel their energy.

Bonci’s Bites: Peanut Butter Energy Bites
We all know this time of year can be busy. Encourage your shoppers to kick-start their day with these delicious peanut butter bites!

For Baby: Peanut Butter Sweet Potato Soufflé
This easy peanut butter and sweet potato souffl. is the perfect meal for babies five months or older as a way to introduce peanut-containing foods and expand their palate — parents might even enjoy a bite or two!
 Peanuts and American Heart Month


Nut Comparison Chart


NBP nut comparison chart
 

National Peanut Lovers Day

We love peanuts every day, but especially on March 1st, which is National Peanut Butter Lovers Day. Did you know that the average American consumes over seven pounds of peanuts per year?(11) Peanuts might just be nature’s perfect snack. They provide protein, mostly good fats, fiber and more than 30 essential vitamins and minerals.

11. NASS-USDA Stocks & Processing. August 25, 2022
 

Ways to Celebrate Peanut Lovers Day In-Store

  • Encourage shoppers to make a fun, sweet treat: Peanut Butter Saltine Toffee Bark.
  • Serve samples of peanut favorites — like peanut butter, flavored peanut butter, peanut butter cookies, peanut butter cracker sandwiches — and provide coupons to connect with more customers.
  • Highlight this tasty peanut-inspired taco recipe as an in-store cooking demo: Thai Peanut Chicken Tacos.
  • Share some fun facts about peanuts with your shoppers: "Did you know that there are 4 different types of peanuts?"
 

Social Media Ideas and Captions

winter social media ideas and captions
Social Media Links:  
winter seasonal landscape
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about peanuts and peanut butter!
We hope this toolkit provides you with the information needed for your shoppers and inspiration for your next nutty adventure.
 
For coupons, samples, or to connect with the National Peanut Board, please contact Markita Lewis, MS, RDN at mmlewis@nationalpeanutboard.org.

Recipe index
In the following pages, you will find the recipes suggested for each season. These recipes exemplify everything that makes peanuts so great! By showcasing the versatility of peanuts, you can encourage your shoppers to try new things or revisit old classics with a twist.
 
Help your shoppers (re)discover their love for peanuts!
 
For more recipe suggestions, you can scan the QR code on this page or visit NationalPeanutBoard.org/recipes/
 

Recipe List:

Download the free toolkit here (PDF)

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