TIFTON, Georgia – The peanut industry unites to assist Hurricane Katrina evacuees by shipping them a healthy snack -- peanut butter and peanuts. Farmers, buying point representatives, shellers and manufacturers are scheduled to be at the ConAgra Foods Peter Pan peanut butter plant in Sylvester, Ga. on Monday, Sept. 26 at 9:00 a.m. to assist loading the tractor-trailer with peanut butter.

The peanut butter and peanuts will be distributed to Adventist Community Services Distribution Center in New Iberia, La. and Second Harvest Food Distribution Center in Theodore, Ala. ConAgra Foods is donating one-half case of peanut butter for every case of peanut butter purchased by state grower associations, farmers and peanut buying points. Henry Griffin of Southern Ag Carriers is supplying the trailers to deliver the peanut butter and peanuts to the distribution centers. Georgia peanut farmers, Glenn Lee and Donald Chase are supplying the tractor and Glenn Lee is personally delivering the shipment to Louisiana.

“We are very proud to be able to team up with the peanut farmers and shellers to assist the victims of Katrina and other hurricanes. Because peanut butter is a highly nutritious product that does not require refrigeration or cooking, it is ideal for those preparing for or recovering from natural disasters. ConAgra Foods is pleased to be a major supporter of America’s Second Harvest and the Red Cross and this opportunity fits in well with our philosophy of supporting those in need,” says Tom Gentle of ConAgra Foods.

The peanut industry organizations, businesses and farmers involved in this effort include the Georgia Peanut Commission, Alabama Peanut Producers, Florida Peanut Producers, North Carolina Peanut Growers, Virginia Peanut Growers, National Peanut Board, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Southern Ag Carriers, Birdsong Peanuts, Advanced Trailer & Equipment Company, Richard Barber Farm, Chase Farms, Arthur Sandlin, Wendell Brannen, Randall Weiseman, Don Register, Chandler Farms, Inc. and George Birdsong.

“ I am pleased that the peanut industry is able to work as a team in efforts such as this to supply peanut butter and peanuts to the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” says Armond Morris, chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission. “I am pleased that we are able to help the evacuees and provide them and the relief workers a nutritious snack that doesn’t have to be refrigerated.”