Robert Bowie

Patricia Sayles
ENGL 1301-704/Online
1-25-14
Peanut Butter, America Cant Get Enough!
Not everyone loves peanut butter; however, as reported by The National Peanut Board,
Peanut butter is consumed in 90 percent of [American] households. This is staggering, when
compared to a statement written by Om Mailk, Journalist and founder of the technology blog
GigaOM.com; Malik states roughly 94 percent of all [American] homeshave internet
connection[s] It is incredible to think that peanut butter is almost as prevalent in the modern
household as the internet. How did this happen?
Peanut butter has become a staple of the modern American way of life. This intrinsic
need was initially due to rapid growth in the emerging peanut butter industry leading up to World
War Two. Then, during the war, food rationing solidified the demand for peanut butter; thus
placing it securely in the nations hearts and pantries. Most importantly, however, continued
growth in the industry can be attributed to peanut butters new varieties, its health benefits, and
its economic value for the consumer.
First, Americas love for peanut butter started rather abruptly due to rapid growth in the
emerging peanut butter industry, leading up to WWII. Peanut butter was all but unheard of at the
beginning of the twentieth century, with the first patent for a peanut paste, com[ing] from U.S.
Patent 306,727, issued in 1884 to Marcellus Gilmore Edson of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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(History of Peanut Butter). Consequently, just a few short years later as an unnamed author
writes on Beaconlearningcenter.com, it became a hit at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis,
and, during the 1920s and 1930s, commercial brands of peanut butter such as Peter Pan and
Skippy were introduced. An explosion in peanut production is also evidence of a rapid growth
in the peanut butter industry. Referencing an article written in 1937, annual peanut production in
America, from 1919 to 1922, averaged 363,453 tons; by 1927, the annual average had climbed
by 7.2% and by 1932 had increased by 23%. By 1937, 15 years later, the average annual peanut
production had increased by 65.7%, to an incredible 602,172 tons a year; with a reported 40%
going directly to the production of peanut butter.(Haskin)
Then, during the Second World War, the practice of food rationing for both servicemen
and the American public, thrust the nations demand for peanut butter higher still. Linda
Stradley writes on Whatscookingamerica.net, Butter, sugarand assorted fresh meats were
rationed [during the War] and expensive. Peanut butter was a good cheapalternative [to meat]
and a readily available source of protein. Peanut butter was not rationed. This meant that while
the supply of the majority of foods was controlled; peanut butter was unrestricted and
inexpensive. As a result, by the end of the War, the countrys love affair with peanut butter was
in full affect. Stradley goes on to say, [Peanut butter] was an instant hit and returning
servicemen madesales soar in the United States. As a result, peanut butters appeal continued
to grow through the 1950s, and by 1960, peanut butter was here to stay. In Feb. of 1960
journalist Clementine Paddleford illustrates peanut butters prominent position in America, by
referencing peanut butter as a pantry-shelf staple
Presently, continued growth in the peanut butter industry can be attributed to a number of
new varieties being offered today, its health benefits, and its economic value for the consumer.
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Evidence of peanut butters still growing popularity, and indeed necessity, can be illustrated by
the emergence of several new varieties being sold in American markets today. An author for the
Newyorker writes: The twenty-first century hasseen the increasing popularity and availability
of alternatives to peanut butters Big Three: Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan. Artisanal and organic
varieties are easier than ever to find as food entrepreneurs try to do to peanut butter what
Starbucks did to coffee. (Michaud). In addition to new varieties, peanut butters health benefits
are attracting new devotees, as well. According to Radhika, of Healthambition.com, peanut
butter, besides being heart friendly, is an excellent source of protein, potassium, and healthy fats.
The author also states that peanut butter is an energy booster, rich in fiber, and aides in weight
loss.
Lastly, peanut butter offers two desirable economic traits, making it an excellent choice
for any consumer. According to The Bureau of Labor and Statistics, peanut butter is priced
nationally around $2.60 per pound as of Dec. 2013. Concurrently, Jif.com states the average
serving size is 31 grams; this equates to the consumer getting an incredible 14.6 servings at 18
apiece. Furthermore, peanut butter has an exceptional shelf life as seen on Marthastewart.com.
The site reports that unopened, peanut butter has a shelf life of 6 to 9 months, and opened it can
stay fresh for 2 to 3 months. This low cost per serving and long shelf life translates into clear
economic benefits for consumers.
In short, peanut butter has become a staple of the modern American way of life because
of three reasons: major growth in the industry at the beginning of the 1900s, a world war, and
simply because it is a good deal at the grocery store. Tonight when driving home, take a look at
the houses in the neighborhood; now remember that 9 out of 10 of those houses have peanut
butter in their pantries (National Peanut Board). Do you?
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Works Cited
Fun Facts. Nationalpeanutboard.org. National Peanut Board. n.d., Web. 21 Jan. 2014.
<http://nationalpeanutboard.org/the-facts/fun-facts/>.
Haskin, Frederic. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?. Chester Times. Chester, PA.
6. 12 Nov. 1938. Print. Newspaperarchive.com. Newspaperarchive.com. n.d.. Web.
25 Jan. 2014. <http://newspaperarchive.com/chester-times/1938-11-12/page-
6?tag=industry+peanut+butter+growth+expansion+business+boom&rtserp=tags/industry
?ndt=by&py=1900&pey=1940&pep=peanut-butter&plo=growth-expansion-business-
boom&pw=recipe-recipes&pse=10>.
The History of Peanut Butter. Atyourlibrary.org. American Library Association. n.d.. Web.
20 Jan. 2014. <http://atyourlibrary.org/culture/history-peanut-butter>.
The History of the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich. Beaconlearningcenter.com.
BeaconLearningCenter.com. 3 Jun. 2003. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/documents/4182_3506.pdf>.
Kitchen Chart. Marthastewart.com. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, INC.. n.d. Web.
23 Jan. 2014. <http://www.marthastewart.com/267593/kitchen-chart>.
Michaud, Jon. A Chunky History of Peanut Butter. Newyorker.com. Conde Nast. 28 Nov.
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2012. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2012/11/
a-chunky-history-of-peanut-butter.html>.
Mid-Atlantic Information Office: Average retail food and energy prices, U.S. city average and
Midwest region. Bls.gov. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 23 Jan.
2014.
Om, Malik. Nearly 78 percent of American homes have broadband & 9 percent cord cutters.
Gigaom.com. Gigaom.com INC., 26 Sep. 2013. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
<http://gigaom.com/2013/09/26/nearly-78-percent-of-american-homes-have-
broadband/>.
Paddleford, Clementine. Dress Up Peanut Butter. Mason City Globe Gazette. Mason City, IA. .
Hearald Tribune News Service. 24, 4 Feb. 1960. Print. Newspaperarchive.com.
Newspaperarchive.com. n.d.. Web. 23 Jan. 2014. <http://newspaperarchive.com/
mason-city-globe-gazette/1960-02-04/page-23?tag=peanut+butter&rtserp=tags/
?pep=peanut-butter&pci=7&pd=4&ndt=ex&py=1960&pm=2.>
Radhika, The Top 8 Health Benefits of Peanut Butter. Healthambition.com. Health Ambition.
6 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
Simply Jif peanut Butter. Jif.com. The J.M. Smucker Company. n.d.. Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.jif.com/Products/Details?categoryId=66>.
Stradley, Linda. History of Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich. Whatscookingamerica.net.
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Whats Cooking America. n.d., Web. 23 Jan. 2014.
<http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Sandwiches/PeanutButterJellySandwich.htm>.