Testimonials
What industry leaders are saying
The Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative has already gained support from across the peanut supply chain. Here’s what industry leaders are saying.
"As peanut farmers, we are always concerned with producing a sustainable, nutritious and affordable crop. It is becoming ever more important to our peanut manufacturers and ultimately to consumers that we share with them how we achieve these goals. I believe the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative is an efficient tool for us to use to demonstrate this. It allows us to share our data easily while maintaining data privacy, and gives growers feedback on how they can bring efficiencies to their own operations."
Donald Chase Georgia Peanut Grower 
“The buzz word seems to be sustainability. All it takes is one manufacturer or retailer to want to know we are doing things right before they buy U.S. peanuts to affect the market and demand for our peanuts. I think getting our sustainable story out is going to be more and more important in the future. Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative is the best tool we have to get that story told now. And with the available funding and help from the industry, this is the perfect time to move forward.”
Otis Lee JohnsonTexas Peanut Grower 
“From the farm to the grocery shelf peanuts are sustainability rock stars. The Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative provides a venue for the entire industry to come together to understand and showcase the powerful sustainability benefits of USA-grown peanuts.”
Ryan LepicierPresident & CEO, National Peanut Board 
"Consumers’ purchasing decisions are increasingly dependent upon the trust they have in brands. In addition to quality and safety expectations, this confidence is influenced by the ability to ensure ingredients are sourced responsibly, with key considerations given to environmental and social impacts. The Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative supports this necessary transparency, leveraging reliable aggregated data, while empowering those in the industry to strive for continuous improvement. As the largest purchaser of peanuts in the United States, we support development of the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative and are proud of the industry’s continued progress.”
- Brian ReedJM Smuckers 
"Birdsong Peanuts is proud to be a sponsor of the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative. Peanuts have long been considered sustainable and this effort helps to validate U.S. Peanut Sustainability through sound science and data. U.S. peanut growers provide sustainable and nutritious food to the world, and Birdsong is honored to work with them and the entire peanut industry on this important endeavor."
Darlene Cowart, Ph.D. Vice President of food safety and quality, Birdsdsong Peanuts 
"As a sheller, our customers are asking for verified peanut sustainability metrics because consumers increasingly are asking for sustainable food options. This requirement is not going anywhere but instead is becoming more important with each passing year. Peanut sustainability is about supporting farmers in balancing economic, social and environmental factors. With consumer demand for sustainability growing, the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative ensures we meet those expectations while benefiting growers economically."
Courtney DorsettVice President of food safety and sustainability, Premium Peanut 
"As one of the leading roasters of peanuts in the United States, we have a unique appreciation for the work of peanut growers to promote innovative and sustainable practices and proudly support the Sustainable U.S. Peanuts Initiative. The SUSP initiative highlights and validates these practices through credible methodology, data tracking and analysis and dedicated reporting. Through the SUSP initiative, we are able to further educate consumers and give them continued confidence in the quality, nutrition and sustainability of peanuts grown in the U.S. while encouraging consistent progress as an industry.”
Rebecca OttDirector of sustainability, The J.M. Smucker Co.
"We have a robust knowledge of how sustainability is approached in the peanut industry- not only with the farmers and shellers, but really all of us playing within the space. That’s why we’re so proud of our partnership with the American Peanut Council and what they are doing to promote regenerative agriculture at the nut level.”
Sarah JohnsonDirector of marketing, Skippy Peanut Butter, Hormel Foods 
“It is the sustainability story that our customers truly look for. Having the statistical confidence provided by Sustainable U.S. Peanuts will, in the long run, help us all sell more peanuts and peanut butter. The initiative is creating those stories for the farmers who want to be more efficient, provide more yield and show to consumers peanuts’ positive sustainability story.”
Michael CampagnaVice President of quality, food safety and regulatory, John B. Sanfilippo & Son 