Mandarin residents can drop off peanut butter at their nearest Jacksonville Public Library branch starting Thursday, Oct. 1, as Duval County joins the statewide Peanut Butter Challenge for a fifth year.

The monthlong drive, organized by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), runs through Saturday, Oct. 31. All donations go to local food pantries ahead of the holiday season, Action News Jax first reported. Jacksonville Public Library branches across the city, including those serving the Mandarin area, are among the listed drop-off sites.

Hunger need peaks as holiday season approaches

Feeding Northeast Florida estimates 142,000 people in Duval County face hunger, and the organization reported that food lines grew 20% between the first and second quarters of 2026, according to Jax Today. The group's leadership has said the final three months of the year bring its greatest demand.

Duval ranks among state's top peanut butter collectors

Duval County has collected 6,035 jars totaling 8,056 pounds of peanut butter over the past four challenges. The county placed in the top three in the Northeast Florida region and the top five statewide each year from 2022 through 2025. Florida counties compete for bragging rights over which collects the most, according to the UF/IFAS program page.

Where to donate jars across Jacksonville

Residents can donate unopened, unexpired jars of peanut butter and other spreads in any size. Drop-off locations include:

  • Front desks at Jacksonville Public Library branches.
  • The mezzanine floor at City Hall, 117 W. Duval St.
  • UF/IFAS Extension Duval County front office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave.
  • The 10th floor of the Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St.
  • Standard Feed and Seed checkout counter, 1236 Kings Road.

Schools, workplaces, neighborhoods and civic groups can also organize their own collection drives. Food pantries frequently request peanut butter because it is a shelf-stable, nutritious staple.

Jars collected throughout October will be tallied at the end of the month, with top-collecting counties recognized statewide. The donations then go directly to local food pantries.

Upcoming community dates:

  • Oct. 1-31: Peanut Butter Challenge drop-offs at all listed locations.