You couldn’t be in New York City last week and not know America’s peanut farmers were in town. The National Peanut Board spread #peanutpower through the Perfectly Powerful Peanut Pop Up. Visitors and participants were encouraged to share their peanutty experiences through social media using the hashtag #peanutpower.
We kicked off the week by delivering more than 150 free peanut butter and jelly lunches to locals who tweeted about how #peanutpower could fuel their day. Later that evening, the Board hosted an event for more than 80 media and bloggers featuring peanut-inspired creations from Chef Joe “JJ” Johnson of Harlem’s famed The Cecil (Esquire’s “Best New Restaurant in America”). Among the VIPs in attendance was Chef Carla Hall from ABC’s “The Chew” and noted cookbook author Rose Levy Beranbaum.
The cornerstone of the week’s events was the Perfectly Powerful Peanut Pop-Up, where visitors met and took their picture with peanut farmers, learned about peanut farming and sustainability and sampled peanut and peanut butter recipes and snacks. Guests also stopped by the humanitarian station, where they learned about how peanuts are helping feed people in need around the world. In return for a highly coveted Peanut Envy t-shirt, Peanut Butter for the Hungry raised more than $3,000. Online sales of the shirt continue at www.PerfectlyPowerfulPeanut.com.
NYC’s own Nutrition Twins hosted a private event for dietitians, where they shared fun facts about peanuts and peanut butter and showed their love by performing a special “PB&J dance” that they choreographed as young kids.
The week wrapped up on Holy Thursday with a special peanut butter and jelly “Spreading Party” where farmers, NPB staff, volunteers and the team from national restaurant chain Which Wich worked together to make and deliver more than 1,000 PB&J sandwiches for the homeless and hungry served by The Bowery Mission.
Special thanks to all our sponsors and partners for the week, including Jif, Hampton Farms, New York Apple, One Sandwich at a Time, PB & Co., Peanut Butter for the Hungry, Planters and Skippy and Which Wich.
We’re taking the pop up experience on the road this spring with additional events in several cities including Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C. Stay tuned to www.PerfectlyPowerfulPeanut.com for more.